related works
String quartet II : (1964) / Ton de Leeuw
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
String quartet (2 violins, viola, cello)
Scoring:
2vl vla vc
Plutos-suite : 1952 / Ton de Leeuw
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
fl fl(pic) 2ob 2cl 2fg h 2trp timp 2perc str
Miroir sonore : = Klankspiegel / Alphonse Stellaert
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3233 4331 4perc hp pf str
3 Aphorismen : voor orkest, 1915/1981 / [orkestratie:] Jan van Dijk, Willem Pijper
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3230 1200 pf hp str
composition
Alba : concerto da camera for small orchestra, 1982, r[evised] 1986 / Ton de Leeuw
Other authors:
Leeuw, Ton de
(Composer)
Description:
Program note (English): Alba (dawn) is the title of this concerto da camera composed in 1982. The musical notation is often characterised by a treatment of pairing equal instruments (2 horns, 2 violins) or groups of instruments. This leads to the development of a number of so-called gymels (also gimel or gemell), which emerge throughout the work. Some of them occur once; others are repeated with or without variation. The modal structure of the work is, among others, stipulated by two modi related to each other, which - depending on the musical course - is used separately or combined. This musical path becomes controlled by a time structure which can best be compared to Indian classical music, but is an independent element, incorporated into a contemporary language. The first part begins immediately with a group of three succeeding gymels (2 horns - 2 oboes - 2 horns). Thereafter the strings set in, from the lower registers (gymels in 2 double basses and 2 violas); where the gymels gradually ascend
merging into the totality, to then re-emerge at the end. The second part is mainly slow and is characterised by, among other things, the consecutive development of a number of episodes that contrast mutually in movement and character. The last of these episodes connects without interruption to the beginning of the third part. The movement of this last part is quick and continuous. One may think perhaps of a big, ongoing dance in a circle but from which other parts are always revealed. - TON DE LEEUW