related works
Building blocks : = Blokkendoos, for orchestra, voor orkest, 1985 / Ronald Ford
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2112 4220 timp hp pf str
Common senses : for double bass and string orchestra, 1996 / Gerard Ammerlaan
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Double bass and string orchestra
Scoring:
str cb-solo
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Clarinet and wind band
Scoring:
cl-solo 3flgn 2sax-s 2sax-a 2sax-t sax-b 3trp 3h 3trb 2tb-t 2tb-b timp perc
Une seule femme endormie : for voice and singing cellist / Douglas Knehans
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Voice and instrument(s)
composition
Al-Fâtiha / Ron Ford
Author(s):
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