Hello
Interesting post. As the different post have shown both tuning down the strings is indeed possible and compositionally viable, and you have to know who you are writing for and wether your risk is indeed justified. I don't think you can ever say enough about editing so the big word of advice would be to show a teacher, or expert string writer before you put it on the stand for the players.
I have explored writing for string ensembles using different tunings. You have to be extremely careful with your notation. Also you have to ensure that there will be enough rehearsal time. In general you need to let the strings set a great deal longer than you would tuning say a guitar. I allow about 45 minutes for the strings to set, and plan on doubling the rehearsal time. The players need to get used to the tuning. Also write everything as played. Do not mix the two, or you should be shot at dawn. Remember as well that you can play the same notes on adjacent strings and if you have tuned different strings at different interval you need to specify what string they are to play on (To elaborate on the piece I am putting a link to I tuned the violin E to a C and the A to a G thus E can be played on either string but now the hand position is all out of order)
There is a point when rehearsing when players are going to make a judgement on whether or not your piece is any good. I would recommend only doing this as a solo piece first. This way when you find 1 performer who is adventurous you can ask questions, and learn from them. Ensemble are a whole different context. There is not the time to try things out, and the dynamics of playing are different. Anyhow enough rambling. There is indeed gold in them hills for those who are able to pull it off.
Here is a link to a piece I did where every string instrument is detuned. The players liked the piece, and there is no other way they could play this as fast as they can on the recording without retuning. (its all over the place in fiddle music.) Lastly as was mentioned in another post - the overtones caused by the resonance of the instruments also colors the piece greatly.
I don't know how to link this piece directly into my post, but if you click
here Doug Gibson Composer on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads
and go to the piece Awakening Within you can hear what I have done.
Best wishes and happy composing
Doug
