Leih-/Aufführungsmaterial
Crossing the Border
for string ensemble
Streichorchester
Ausgabe: Aufführungsmaterial
Reihe:
Crossing the Border
Produktdetails
Beschreibung
Music does not easily lend itself to verbal description. However, a vague and general outline of the compositional aims of this piece is worth a shot if it’s of interest or help to the listener.
The string ensemble is divided into four groups of violins (two either side of the conductor), violas, cellos and basses. The music was originally written for pupils in two Scottish High schools and was therefore designed for practicality and intelligibility on the part of the players. Much of the music is repeated or echoed by various sections of the total ensemble ensuring everyone a turn at playing (more or less) the same music. Consequently the use of strict canon over a ground bass is a dominant feature. A canon is a many-voiced composition whereby the first voice (or part) is followed at fixed time intervals by another which imitates it exactly note for note.
In Crossing the Border the first canonic entries are full length quarter notes (crotchets) on open strings starting on the second beat to give the impression of three, rather than four beats per bar. These canons are progressively layered on top of each other in ever-shortening note values and make up the structure of the first half of the work. This increase in the number of notes per bar suggests the music is getting faster. It isn’t - the overall pulse is always the same. Bach’s Chaconne for solo violin has a direct bearing on this process. There, a ground bass anchors progressively increasing rhythmic activity (shorter notes values) which fill out equal length measures.
In Crossing the Border the second half is a vertical reflection of the horizontal process of the first. Simply put - instead of counterpoint, straightforward harmonic presentation of this principle applies. Great stamina is required of the performers as almost everyone plays all the time.
Programmatic music it is not! It’s as abstract as anything by Bach. But that doesn’t rule out energy, passion and emotional content or deny a metaphorical dimension. The title principally refers to the fact that it was written for performers north of the English border. The first performance never happened as planned and I gave the premiere in Poland then Moscow and subsequently in the UK with student musicians. The title also suggests crossing borders of various sorts - social, musical, political and cultural - ideals to make a better world.
Steve Martland 1993
The string ensemble is divided into four groups of violins (two either side of the conductor), violas, cellos and basses. The music was originally written for pupils in two Scottish High schools and was therefore designed for practicality and intelligibility on the part of the players. Much of the music is repeated or echoed by various sections of the total ensemble ensuring everyone a turn at playing (more or less) the same music. Consequently the use of strict canon over a ground bass is a dominant feature. A canon is a many-voiced composition whereby the first voice (or part) is followed at fixed time intervals by another which imitates it exactly note for note.
In Crossing the Border the first canonic entries are full length quarter notes (crotchets) on open strings starting on the second beat to give the impression of three, rather than four beats per bar. These canons are progressively layered on top of each other in ever-shortening note values and make up the structure of the first half of the work. This increase in the number of notes per bar suggests the music is getting faster. It isn’t - the overall pulse is always the same. Bach’s Chaconne for solo violin has a direct bearing on this process. There, a ground bass anchors progressively increasing rhythmic activity (shorter notes values) which fill out equal length measures.
In Crossing the Border the second half is a vertical reflection of the horizontal process of the first. Simply put - instead of counterpoint, straightforward harmonic presentation of this principle applies. Great stamina is required of the performers as almost everyone plays all the time.
Programmatic music it is not! It’s as abstract as anything by Bach. But that doesn’t rule out energy, passion and emotional content or deny a metaphorical dimension. The title principally refers to the fact that it was written for performers north of the English border. The first performance never happened as planned and I gave the premiere in Poland then Moscow and subsequently in the UK with student musicians. The title also suggests crossing borders of various sorts - social, musical, political and cultural - ideals to make a better world.
Steve Martland 1993
Orchesterbesetzung
Minimum string strength: 8 (4+4).8 (4+4).4.4.2 (more strings can be used but should be proportioned for overall balance eg. 12-16.12-16.8.8.4-6)
Weitere Informationen
Titel:
Crossing the Border
for string ensemble
Ausgabe:
Aufführungsmaterial
Verlag/Label:
Schott Music
Kompositionsjahr:
1990 - 1991
Spieldauer:
25 ′
Uraufführung:
10. Oktober 1991 · Gdańsk (PL)
Musikalische Leitung: Steve Martland · Warsaw Academy Symphony Orchestra
Musikalische Leitung: Steve Martland · Warsaw Academy Symphony Orchestra
Reihe:
Technische Details
Bestellnummer:
LSL 2898-01
Aufführungen
Crossing the Border
Musikalische Leitung: Gustavo Dudamel
Orchester: Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group
17. April 2018 |
Los Angeles, CA (Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika) , Walt Disney Concert Hall
20:00
Crossing the Border
Musikalische Leitung: Edwin Outwater
Orchester: BBC National Orchestra of Wales
3. Februar 2017 |
Cardiff (Vereinigtes Königreich Großbritannien und Nordirland) , BBC Hoddinott Hall
19:30
Crossing the Border
Musikalische Leitung: Robert Ziegler
Orchester: BBC Concert Orchestra
24. November 2006 |
London (Vereinigtes Königreich Großbritannien und Nordirland) , Queen Elizabeth Hall
19.30 h
Crossing the Border
Musikalische Leitung: Carlo Boccadoro
Orchester: Transition Classic Orchestra
17. Oktober 2006 |
Torino (Italien) , Piccolo Regio — nationale Erstaufführung
Crossing the Border
Orchester: Scottish Ensemble
21. Januar 2006 |
Glasgow (Vereinigtes Königreich Großbritannien und Nordirland) , Centre for Contemporary Arts
19.15 h
Mehr aus dieser Reihe
Crossing the Border
Rezensionen
Nur registrierte Benutzer:innen können Bewertungen schreiben. Bitte loggen Sie sich ein oder erstellen Sie ein Konto.