related works
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Speaking voice and instrument(s)
Scoring:
recit cl fg trp trb vl cb perc video
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Violin; Electronics with different instruments; Violin with multimedia
Scoring:
vl 2soundtracks
Drop-hammers : for harp and soundtracks, 1996 / Chiel Meijering
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Harp; Electronics with different instruments
Scoring:
hp tape
Dimensies : voor piano, (1967) / Géza Frid
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Piano; Electronics with different instruments; Piano with multimedia
Scoring:
pf tape / 2pf / 3pf
composition
Gramvousa : for flute, bass clarinet, piano and tape, 1995 / Roderik de Man
Other authors:
Man, Roderik de
(Composer)
Description:
Program note (English): When Het Trio commissioned me to write a piece with tape for them, I was reading a book by Tim Severin, The Ulysses Voyage, which gives a detailed reconstruction of Ulysses' travels. The title Gramvousa is the name of a small island which is situated at the north-western tip of Crete. In Homer's Odyssey this location plays an important role. Not only is it the home of Aeolus, the God of Winds, it is also the point of departure for the long and dangerous voyage to Ithaca. I have been on this island, and found it remarkable that on a quiet and clear day, enormous gusts of wind would suddenly erupt and then disappear as unexpectedly as they had come. The resemblance between the situation described above and the feeling a composer may have receiving a commission for a new composition struck me. When commencing upon a new work the composer is sent on a journey of uncertain destination; many unexpected events may take place during composing, especially in the case of working with
electronic means. Once the piece has been completed, however, the roles are reversed. Now the musicians are sent on a sometimes hazardous journey and will have to discover how to reach their (musical) destination. This atmosphere was instrumental in the choice of material for the tape. Practically all sounds were derived from flute, bass clarinet and piano, and the tape part was realized in the composers' studio. I wish the musicians and audience "Bon Voyage". RODERIK DE MAN