Work of the Week - Peter Eötvös: Levitation

The Festival de Música de Canarias has made a name for itself as one of the most interesting international music festivals. Commissions form an important part of its programme and this year Peter Eötvös has written Levitation (for two clarinets, accordion and strings) for Sabine and Wolfgang Meyer. The world premiere is taking place on 13 February in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with Sakari Oramo conducting the Finnish YLE Radion sinfoniaorkesteri. The term 'Levitation' describes a state of suspense of objects achieved by magnetic forces, compressed air or ultrasonic waves.

Like a chemical reaction creating new links between elements, Levitation creates musical imagery by combining tone colours of the clarinets, accordion and orchestra. My vision starts in a street during a hurricane with flying telephone boxes and traffic signs; next a dream sequence which is often repeated during my sleep: I am lifting my legs and I float about two feet high above the ground, not flying but gliding in vertical position through the scenery; then gondolas floating above the water and finally the slowly rising body of a puppet, the 'resurrection' of the fairy tale character Petroushka... - That's the chemistry of this music.

Peter Eötvös - Profile

(02/11/2008)