related works
Symphonische Variationen : = Symphonische variaties / Henk Badings
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
pic 2fl 2ob eh 2cl cl-b 2fg cfg 4h 3trp 3trb tb timp perc cel str
Tema con variazioni : per orchestra, (1953) / Oscar van Hemel
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2222 4331 timp perc hp str
Symphonie no. 1 : Symphonia carminum, 1912-1914 / Matthijs Vermeulen
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3353 4431 timp 4perc 2hp str
Musique pour ballet no. 2 : op. 28 / Luctor Ponse
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Piano
Scoring:
2pf
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