| Aroura | |
|---|---|
| by Iannis Xenakis | |
 Xenakis, around the time of this composition | |
| Composed | 1971 |
| Performed | 24 August 1971: Lucerne |
| Scoring | 12 strings or string orchestra |
Aroura is a composition for strings by Greek/French composer Iannis Xenakis. It was composed in 1971.
The title of this composition should be translated as "Earth". [1] It was first performed on 24 August 1971, at the Lucerne Festival. It was premiered by Rudolf Baumgartner with the festival's Lucerne Festival Strings. It was published shortly after by Éditions Salabert. [2]
The piece is in only one movement and takes around 12 minutes to perform. It is scored for four first violins, three second violins, two violas, two cellos and one double bass, even though it is clarified by Xenakis that it can also be performed by a larger string orchestra or ensemble. Aroura makes an extensive use of glissandos, jagged chords, sound clusters and other techniques exploited in avant-garde movements. [1]
The piece has a tempo of 𝅗𝅥 = 60 (which means two beats per second). The register of the piece ranges from a C1 (played by the double bass) to D8, played by one of the first violins. First and second violins rarely play unison, but each of the violinist has their own line. Xenakis uses graphic notation up to six times in the score, the first one being the opening of the composition. [3]
The Arditti Quartet is a string quartet founded in 1974 and led by the British violinist Irvine Arditti. The quartet is a globally recognized promoter of contemporary classical music and has a reputation for having a very wide repertoire. They first became known taking into their repertoire technically challenging pieces. Over the years, there have been personnel changes but Irvine Arditti is still at the helm, leading the group. The repertoire of the group is mostly music from the last 50 years with a strong emphasis on living composers. Their aim from the beginning has been to collaborate with composers during the rehearsal process. However, unlike some other groups, it is loyal to music of a classical vein and avoids cross-genre music. The Quartet has performed in major concert halls and cultural festivals all over the world and has the longest discography of any group of its type. In 1999, it won the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize for lifetime achievement, being the first and only group to date to receive this award.
Robert Carl is an American composer who currently resides in Hartford, Connecticut, where he is chair of the composition program at the Hartt School, University of Hartford.
Kraanerg is a composition for 23 instruments and 4-channel analog tape composed by Iannis Xenakis, originally for a ballet with choreography by Roland Petit and set design by Victor Vasarely. It was created for the grand opening of the Canadian National Arts Centre in Ottawa, which was originally to coincide with Expo 67 but was delayed to 1969.
Dobrinka Tabakova is a British/Bulgarian composer.
Pléïades is a composition for six percussionists composed in 1978 by Greek composer Iannis Xenakis, originally commissioned by the percussion ensemble Les Percussions de Strasbourg.
Ayal Adler (Hebrew: אייל אדלר,is an Israeli composer. Active at the International scene, his works are performed worldswide. He is a Prof. in composition and theory at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Recipient of many awards, including Prime-Minister Award for Composition, Acum Prizes, and first prize at the RMN International Competition. Serves as Vice Director of the Israeli Composers' League.
Troorkh is a composition for trombone and orchestra by Greek composer Iannis Xenakis. It was commissioned by Swedish Radio for Swedish trombonist Christian Lindberg, to whom it is dedicated, and was completed in 1991. It was premiered on March 26, 1993 at Berwald Hall in Stockholm by the Swedish Radio Orchestra under Esa-Pekka Salonen, with Lindberg as the soloist.
The Capriccio for Violin and Orchestra is a composition by Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki. It is one of the five caprices that he composed and one of the two that he composed for a soloist with an orchestra, together with the Capriccio for Oboe and Eleven Instruments.
Ramifications is a composition for strings by Hungarian composer György Ligeti. It was finished in 1968 and premiered in 1969.
Rebonds is a composition for solo percussion by Greek composer Iannis Xenakis. It was composed between 1987 and 1989 and, together with Psappha, is one of the two compositions for solo percussion by Xenakis.
Diamorphoses is the first electroacoustic composition by greek composer Iannis Xenakis. It was created between 1957 and 1958 and is considered a masterpiece in several academic books on history of electroacoustic music.
Adjustable Wrench, sometimes also The Adjustable Wrench, is a composition for mixed chamber ensemble by American composer Michael Torke. It was composed in 1987.
Javelin is a composition for orchestra by American composer Michael Torke. It was finished in 1994.
A String Around Autumn, sometimes also called the Viola Concerto, is a concerto for viola and orchestra by Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. It was finished in 1989.
Synaphaï is a composition for piano and orchestra by Greek composer Iannis Xenakis. It was finished in 1969 and premiered in 1971.
Quattro versioni originali della "Ritirata notturna di Madrid" is an arrangement by Luciano Berio of a movement from Luigi Boccherini's Musica notturna delle strade di Madrid. The full title of the composition is Quattro versioni originali della "Ritirata notturna di Madrid" di Luigi Boccherini, sovrapposte e transcritte per orchestra. This arrangement was composed in 1975.
Antikhthon is a ballet for orchestra composed by Iannis Xenakis in 1971.
Keqrops is a composition for piano and orchestra by Greek/French composer Iannis Xenakis. Due to the prominent role of the piano soloist, it has often been classified as a piano concerto. It was completed in 1986.
Jaehyuck Choi is a South Korean composer and conductor of classical music, based in New York and Seoul.
| Compositions |
|
|---|---|
| Buildings |
|
| Collaborators and influences | |
| Publications | |
| Related articles | |
