Theraps (Xenakis)

Last updated
Theraps
by Iannis Xenakis
Composed1975–1976
PerformedMarch 26, 1976
Published1976
Movements1
ScoringSolo double bass

Theraps is a composition for solo double bass by Iannis Xenakis.

Contents

Background

Theraps was composed during 1975–1976, and is dedicated to Fernando Grillo, who premiered it on March 26, 1976, at the Festival de Royan in Royan, France. [1] [2] [3] The title signifies "achievement, level of conscience," and stems from the same root as "therapy." [4] With a duration of 11 to 12 minutes, [1] [2] it is one of a group of small-scale works involving string instruments in which Xenakis explores continuously changing pitch curves (glissandi) derived from Brownian motion. [5] Similar works from that time period are Charisma for clarinet and cello (1971), [6] Mikka and Mikka "S" for solo violin (1971 and 1976), [7] [8] Kottos for solo cello (1977), [9] and Embellie for solo viola (1981). [10]

Theraps was published by Éditions Salabert in 1976. [3] In 1981, Salabert published a new edition featuring modified tempo indications plus expanded instructions and notes. [11] The score is notated at sounding pitch, rather than an octave higher, as is traditional with music for the double bass. [12]

Material and form

Theraps begins and ends with repeated descending glissandi that are loud, grinding, and brief. [13] (The opening passage is marked "crushing the string." [3] ) The body of the piece consists of three types of music: single-note glissandi based on random walks; double-stop glissandi that often move in contrary motion; and slowly-changing double-stop natural harmonics. [14] These texture types appear in various successions which, along with the movement of the registrally wide-ranging lines, constitute the form of the piece. [14] The preface to the score states that the dynamic range should be as wide as possible, and stipulates that bowed sounds should be noisy. [15]

Performative considerations

Like many of Xenakis's compositions, Theraps poses many challenges for the performer, and requires a great deal of stamina. [14] The music covers five octaves, and the player is required to produce quarter tones and quadruple-stop chords, in addition to the extremely difficult contrary motion double-stop glissandi. [13]

Bassist and composer Barry Guy called the piece "an intense work, one that demands you throw yourself into it wholeheartedly," and stated that it "takes you to the limit of your physical capabilities." [12] He recalled: "my whole bodily frame would be in a state of shock by the end... My right arm and left fingers would be shaking." [16] However, he noted that he has "learned to control the muscular exertions," and commented: "if you go for it, it turns from being a piece that is slightly dry and cerebral to being a glorious piece of strength in music and expression." [12]

Bassist Robert Black called Theraps "a masterpiece," and remarked: "It is intense, powerful, deep, and beautiful. It is transcendent. It is a gift from the 'gods'." [17] He stated that, in preparation for playing it, he "devised a number of exercises (quasi-etudes) that would train my muscles and mind to do things they had not done before," [18] and noted "the emotional commitment, and sheer physical effort required to play the work." [18] He also recalled that, in his initial meeting with Xenakis, the composer urged him to make the music "much more extreme, savage, grotesque and beautiful." [19] Black went on to record the work for Neuma Records. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iannis Xenakis</span> Greek-French composer, architect and engineer (1922–2001)

Giannis Klearchou Xenakis was a Romanian-born Greek-French avant-garde composer, music theorist, architect, performance director and engineer.

<i>Metastaseis</i> (Xenakis) Orchestral work by Iannis Xenakis

Metastaseis is an orchestral work for 61 musicians by Iannis Xenakis. His first major work, it was written in 1953–54 after his studies with Olivier Messiaen and is about 8 minutes in length. The work was premiered at the 1955 Donaueschingen Festival with Hans Rosbaud conducting. This work was originally a part of a Xenakis trilogy titled Anastenaria but was detached by Xenakis for separate performance.

Evryali is a piece for solo piano composed by Iannis Xenakis in 1973. It is based on a technique Xenakis invented in early 1970s, called arborescences—proliferations of melodic lines created from a generative contour. The title refers to the name of one of the Gorgon sisters, and is also Greek for open sea.

<i>Polytope de Montréal</i>

Polytope de Montréal was a media installation in the French Pavilion, which now houses the Montreal Casino. The installation included a sculpture, light show, and musical composition designed and composed by Iannis Xenakis for Expo 67, the 1967 International and Universal Exposition. The piece was the first of many such installations by Xenakis.

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.

<i>Rebonds</i> (Xenakis) 1980s composition by Iannis Xenakis

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.

Synaphaï is a composition for piano and orchestra by Greek composer Iannis Xenakis. It was finished in 1969 and premiered in 1971.

<i>Aroura</i> (Xenakis)

Aroura is a composition for strings by Greek/French composer Iannis Xenakis. It was composed in 1971.

<i>Antikhthon</i>

Antikhthon is a ballet for orchestra composed by Iannis Xenakis in 1971.

<i>Keqrops</i>

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.

<i>Okho</i> 1989 composition by Iannis Xenakis

Okho is a composition for three percussionists by Iannis Xenakis completed in 1989.

<i>Oophaa</i> 1989 chamber music composition by Iannis Xenakis

Oophaa is a composition for amplified harpsichord and percussion by Iannis Xenakis, finished in 1989.

<i>Khoaï</i> (Xenakis)

Khoaï, also referred to by its original Greek title, Χοαί, is a 1976 composition for solo harpsichord by Iannis Xenakis.

Eonta is a composition for piano, two trumpets, and three tenor trombones by Iannis Xenakis. It was written in 1963–64, and was premiered on December 16, 1964, by the Ensemble du Domaine Musical, with Yuji Takahashi on piano and Pierre Boulez conducting. Its duration is approximately 18 minutes.

Mists is a composition for piano by Iannis Xenakis. It was written in 1980, and was premiered on April 16, 1981, by Roger Woodward, to whom it is dedicated. Its duration is approximately 12 minutes.

Phlegra is a composition for ensemble by composer Iannis Xenakis. It was composed in 1975.

Palimpsest is a composition for chamber ensemble by Greek-French composer Iannis Xenakis. It was composed in 1979.

Aïs is a composition for amplified baritone, solo percussion, and large orchestra by Greek composer Iannis Xenakis written in 1980.

Charisma is a composition for clarinet and cello by Iannis Xenakis.

References

  1. 1 2 "Theraps". Iannis-Xenakis-org. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Theraps (1975 -1976) for solo double bass". IRCAM. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Xenakis 1976, p. 1.
  4. ↑ Harley 2004, p. 90.
  5. ↑ Matossian 1986, p. 233.
  6. ↑ "Charisma". Iannis-Xenakis-org. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Mikka". Iannis-Xenakis-org. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Mikka "S"". Iannis-Xenakis-org. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Kottos". Iannis-Xenakis-org. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Embellie". Iannis-Xenakis-org. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  11. ↑ Sherouse 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 Dwyer 2014.
  13. 1 2 Harley 2004, p. 90–91.
  14. 1 2 3 Harley 2004, p. 91.
  15. ↑ Xenakis 1976, p. preface.
  16. ↑ Guy 2019.
  17. 1 2 Black 2010, p. 243.
  18. 1 2 Black 2010, p. 241.
  19. ↑ Black 2010, p. 242.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.