related works
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Large ensemble (12 or more players)
Scoring:
fl ob cl fg h harm pf 2vl vla vc cb
The end of a specimen : for orchestra, 1980/81, (revision 1982) / Chiel Meijering
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4431 6perc 2hp pf str
Cataclysme : voor orkest / Karel Goeyvaerts
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3picc 2fl 5cl 5tpt 3trb 2pf xyl perc 2vl 2vla
De Ruyter fantasie-variaties : voor groot orkest / [Jan Pouwels]
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2323 3230 timp perc 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