related works
String quartet II : (1964) / Ton de Leeuw
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
String quartet (2 violins, viola, cello)
Scoring:
2vl vla vc
Symphonie no. 1 : Symphonia carminum, 1912-1914 / Matthijs Vermeulen
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3353 4431 timp 4perc 2hp str
Kier : symphony orchestra, 2005 / Martijn Padding
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
pic 2fl 3ob 2cl cl-b 2fg cfg 4h 4trp 3trb 2tb 4perc 2hp pf str
Quasi in modo di valzer : orchestra, 1973 / Nico Schuyt
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4331 timp 3perc cel hp str
composition
Ombres : voor symfonieorkest, 1960/1961 / Ton de Leeuw
Other authors:
Leeuw, Ton de
(Composer)
Description:
Program note (English): (Première: 7-10-1962 - Concertgebouw, Amsterdam - Concertgebouworkest, Bernard Haitink, conducting) - In an earlier orchestral composition, "Mouvements rétrogrades", music was compared to a rotating crystal which, remaining the same, reflects ever changing light-values. This same static conception appears again in this composition; now, however, realised with wholly different formal means. The movements in the music might here be compared to the mysterious and balancing forces of nature, and to its wondrous complex world of forms whose laws can only be approached along the lines of human intuition. The title denotes that music, being a humanly ordered movement, can only give a shadow of all this. The above comparison is only relevant when light is shed on its background. The reflection of forces outside and above man implies that music is no longer a too subjective expression. The artist's "ego" recedes. What becomes primary is not the act of the will, but the surrender, which
does not necessarily preclude a personal touch. This conception runs counter to that of most music heard in the European concert-halls. Contrariwise, it is decisive - if we may limit ourselves to living music - for the most important music cultures outside Europe. It is therefore not just coincidental that, besides a selection of serial means, a number of music-technical aspects from India, in particular, play an important part. It is of little use to enter into details here. Furthermore, the composition consists of four parts, and the scoring is for a normal orchestra, although an important task is allotted to the percussion and plucked instruments. - TON DE LEEUW