Product Details

Description

Originally conceived as a concerto for orchestra, Thomas Larcher’s Symphony No. 2 takes the form of a classical symphony but retains elements of the original idea, reaching from the intimacy of chamber music to the immense diversity of a full orchestra.

‘I want to explore the forms of our musical past under the light of the (musical and human) developments we have been part of during our lifetime. How can we find tonality that speaks in our time? And how can the old forms speak to us? These are questions I often ask myself. This piece is very much about different forms of energy: bundled, scattered, smooth, kinetic or furious.’ (Thomas Larcher)

The subtitle 'Kenotaph' refers to a monument for the dead, an empty tomb for those missing and presumed dead. Larcher composed the work, which was premiered by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in 2016, while haunted by the tragedies of the numerous refugees drowned in the Mediterranean Sea.

Orchestral Cast

3(2.afl., 3.pic).3(1-3.small slide whistles).3(1-3.small slide whistles, 2.Ebcl., 3.bcl)3.(1-3.large slide whistles, 3.cbsn)-4.3(1.pictpt).3.1-timp/perc (min. 5 players) (glsp, vib, xyl, mar, crots, tub bells, 2 cym, Chinese cym, Sizzle cym, 2 t-tam, 2 tri, s.d., tenor drum, b.d., bongo, Indian drum, 3 temple blks, wd blks, whip, cast, 2 sand blks, light paper, 2 metal coils, oil barrel, flexatone, vibraslap, mixing bowl, metal mixing bowl, biscuit tin, 2 thunder sheets-acc.cel.pno(with preparation).hp-str(14.12.10.8.6 [db4-6 are 5 string basses, db1-6.slide whistles (3 small & 3 large)])