related works

The stillpoint : for violin and vibraphone, opus 4, 1994/1995 / Edward Top

Genre: Chamber music
Subgenre: Mixed ensemble (2-12 players)
Scoring: vibr vl

Muziek voor 6 houtblazers : 1972 / Guus Janssen

Genre: Chamber music
Subgenre: Woodwind ensemble (2-12 players)
Scoring: fl ob 2cl cl-b fg

Fuga VII : per flauto, clarinetto e fagotto / Ernest W. Mulder

Genre: Chamber music
Subgenre: Woodwind ensemble (2-12 players)
Scoring: fl cl fg

Trio no. 1 : fluit, hobo, clarinet, 1944 / Henri Zagwijn

Genre: Chamber music
Subgenre: Woodwind ensemble (2-12 players)
Scoring: fl ob cl

composition

Schietgebedjes : = (Ejaculation prayers), for reed quintet, 2005 / Edward Top

Other authors:
Top, Edward (Composer)
Description:
Program note (English): The work Ejaculation Prayers ('Schietgebedjes' in Dutch) consists both of virtuosic music with different passages that follow each other up in quick successions, as well as serene and spread out sections. The contrast these two counter poles indicate is a generally recurring theme in my work. Originally a string player, it was challenging for me to enter the realm of woodwinds. Prior to finalising the composition, a rough version was played through in the rehearsal studio, providing me with valuable insights about the not so common combination of oboe d'amore, clarinet, basset horn, soprano sax and bassoon. Of course there is an experimental side to it, but in general the work is quite straightforward with every now and then references to music from the 1920s such as Webern's and jazzbands'. Like in many of my compositions, expression through sound colouring plays an important role in Ejaculation Prayers. It is harmonic colour, from the close-harmony and Ligeti-like movement in
the virtuosic sections, to the widely spread out clusters in the quieter parts. Towards the end melodic features appear, where extreme register leaps maximise expression. - EDWARD TOP