related works
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Large ensemble (12 or more players)
Scoring:
fl ob cl fg h harm pf 2vl vla vc cb
Future Perfect : for orchestra / Vanessa Lann
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2fl/picc 2ob 2cl 2fg 2h 2tpt 2trb trb-b timp cel str
Rhapsody in beer-tonality : for orchestra, 1972/85 / Simon Pluister
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3222 4330 timp 5perc str
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4331 timp perc cel xyl hp str
composition
Abschied : symphonische Dichtung, für grosses Orchester, 1973 / Reinbert de Leeuw
Other authors:
Leeuw, Reinbert de
(Composer)
Description:
Program note (English): [Première: 11-05-1974 - Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest, Edo de Waart, conducting] - Abschied is a piece on which I had worked for more than three years, but it was something that I always wanted to compose. It has been written for a huge symphony orchestra with a totally conventional instrumentation, apart from the piano and saxophones, which are scored. Furthermore there is no unusual treatment of instruments or new music techniques. It is, however, a piece that runs continuously from its seams; it is a permanent sort of fury. On viewing the score, that begins on page 1 and ends on page 82, every page is black of notes. It must be played in an extraordinarily high tempo; everything is very compact. That makes it difficult for performance: it is filled with virtuosity for all. The idea behind it is a literary one; for this reason I have given the piece a literary title, referring to the German romanticism, the period of Symphonische Dichtung. That is also the subtitle of the
piece. It is full of extremes, extremity in expression and exaggerated in aggressiveness. Thus a reason for choosing a symphony orchestra in the form as I opted for, completely 19th century, late-romantic without, however, late-romantic means, except in one neglected part. It is almost everywhere homo-rhythmical, with the complete orchestra simultaneously, or two groups positioned opposite of each other. On that note, it is somewhat Stravinsky-like; it refers here and there to the Sacre, as an archetype. - REINBERT DE LEEUW