related works
Genre:
Unknown
Het lied der dwaze bijen : vrouwenkoor, piano, 1977 / Wim Brandse
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Female choir and piano
Scoring:
VK4 pf
Speechless : for voice and ensemble / Maarten Altena
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Voice and large ensemble
Scoring:
zang fl-a ob cl fg h tpt trb 3cymb pf hp 2vn vla vlc db
Microfonie : voor vijf dwarsfluiten, (1971) / Frans van den Eijnden
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Flute
Scoring:
4fl fl-a
composition
Al-Fâtiha / Ron Ford
Other authors:
Ford, Ron
(Composer)
Description:
Program note (English): In the recitation of the Koran, the singer balances between speaking recitation and sung aria. When I was asked to write a piece for the Volharding, I wanted to try to get a new sound from the group. It was not my idea to write a solo concerto, but more a piece wherin one player continually gave information to the group. This function quickly became that of a reciter, and thus the link with the Koran was complete. Al-fatiha is in various ways based on the first verse of the Koran, titled 'the opening'. Throughout the piece the trombone part is derived from this performance of the Koran verse, and the soloist is continously feeding information to the rest of the ensemble. The ensemble reacts upon this information with shadow notes and harmonies, articulation, and unexpected interruptions. Later in the piece it is the (Arabic) text that steers the music. Syllabes and words are translated into a stuttering, spattering tutti. In the end, it is the singer himself (on tape) that
leads the piece towards its end. The recording begins close and intimate, and changes slowly to the acoustics of a mosque, and finally ends in the beautifully distorted sound recognizable as that of the Koran thrown into the world from the turrets. - RON FORD