related works
Serenata I : per 12 strumenti e percussione / Jan van Vlijmen
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Wind ensemble (13 or more players)
Scoring:
2222 2200 perc xyl mar
Fuji Dichtungen / Jacques Reuland
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Voice and instrument(s)
Scoring:
sopr cl pf
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Voice and instrument(s)
Scoring:
sopr fl-b str
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Voice and instrument(s)
Scoring:
ten ob g vl vla vc
composition
Mythos : per 9 strumenti e mezzo/soprano / Jan van Vlijmen
Author(s):
Van Ostaijen, Paul
(Text writer/Librettist)
Vlijmen, Jan van
(Composer)
Description:
Program note (English): The commission ran: a composition for wind quintet and string quartet, with the possibility of combining two ensembles which in the Netherlands concern themselves first and foremost with contemporary music: the Danzi quintet and the Gaudeamus quartet. In order to obtain greater coherence the two distinctive ensembles were fused and again divided into the following groups:
I. flute - viola
II. oboe - bassoon, violin
III. horn - violin
IV. clarinet - cello
In the second half of the composition a singing-voice (mezzo soprano) is added to the instrumentalists. The text of this vocal episode was derived from a poem by Paul van Ostaijen: 'Mythos', which was also chosen to be the title of the work.
The composition is divided in two large parts, preceded by an introduction.
In the first part the stress is on the instrumental ensemble. It is subdivided into 12 smaller parts, varying in duration. From a musical point of view these 12 fragments may be divided into 3 groups:
I.6 parts with very lively contours;
II.2 parts of a static nature (drawn-out notes);
III.4 parts in which these two elements combine (heterophony and repeated notes).
The order of succession of the various parts may be chosen by the musicians themselves, according to certain fixed regulations.
The second part stresses the singing-voice, although the instrumental groups are given a part which is anything but subservient. - JAN VAN VLIJMEN