related works
Necropolis : Five miniatures for symphony orchestra / David Mastikosa
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
picc 2fl 2ob 2cl cl-b 2fg 4h 2tpt 2trb-t trb-b tb perc pf str
6 Etats intermédiaires : Sinfonia for orchestra / Alexandre Rabinovitch-Barakovsky
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
picc 2fl 2ob 2cl-b 2bsn cbsn 3tpt-b 3trb cel 2vib 2mar camp el-pf str
Balletto serioso : (l'apparecchio minacciante), (1956) / Henk Badings
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2232 4331 timp 2-3perc pf cel str
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Mixed choir and instruments
Scoring:
GK4 hp org vc
composition
La lucerna del mondo : for symphony orchestra, 1996/revision 2005 / Jacob ter Veldhuis
Other authors:
(Composer)
Description:
Program note (English): "The lantern of the world approaches mortals by varied paths; but on that way which links four circles with three crosses, it emerges joined to a better constellation and along a better course, and it can temper and stamp the world's wax more in its own manner." This is one of the most enigmatic parts of Dante's Divina Comedia. According to Dutch translator Frans van Dooren, Dante is referring to the beginning of spring. The 4 circles probably represent the zodiac, the equator, the equinoctial colure, and the horizon, which cuts the others, resulting in 3 crosses. 'La lucerna' stands for the sun, or God, and the 4 circles and 3 crosses also represent the 4 cardinal and the 3 divine virtues respectively. The composition is mainly based on the seven-tone scale of D-flat major or b-flat minor. In the score, these 7 tones more or less act for the 4 circles and the 3 crosses. In the grand finale of the piece, all seven tones come together (first in the French horns on page 36, bars
95, 96 and 97: 3 crosses, 4 circles, 3 crosses), after which the orchestra forms a giant cluster, which stands for 'la lucerna del mondo', the lantern of the world. - JACOB TER VELDHUIS