Music Finland Core

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The title evokes the two gestures which are at the origin of the work: on the one hand the pattern which I call 'spinning tops' turning around on the one spot or undergoing changes, and on the other, timeless moments, centred on the sound colour and texture.The entire piece unfolds either around or between these two gestures. I chose to re-tune the instrument in order to personalise the harmonic writing: the fifths are replaced by structures favouring major sixths and minor thirds.Challenged by this scodatura, the sonority of Spins and Spells reminds me of the music and the instrumental colours of another age, far older than those of the cello that we know, although seen and transformed again through my own universe.© Kaija Saariaho, June 26, 1997(Chester Music Ltd.)Der Titel dieses Stückes bezieht sich auf die zwei Gesten, die an seinem Ursprung stehen: zum einen die Motive, die ich ‘Kreisel’ nenne, die sich auf der Stelle drehen oder Verwandlungen durchlaufen, zum anderen die Momente ohne strenges Tempo, die sich auf Farbe und Textur konzentrieren.Das ganze Stück entwickelt sich um oder zwischen diesen zwei Gesten. Ich habe mich für die Umstimmung des Instrumentes entschieden, um die harmonische Handschrift persönlicher werden zu lassen: die üblichen Quinten sind hier durch Strukturen ersetzt, die große Sexten und kleine Terzen bevorzugen.Durch diese Scordatura hervorgerufen, erinnert mich der Klang von Spins and Spells an die Musik und Instrumentalfarben einer anderen Zeit, lange bevor es das Violoncello gab, so wie wir es heute kennen, zugleich aufs Neue gesehen und verwandelt durch mein eigenes Universum.© Kaija Saariaho, June 26, 1997Spins and Spells on sävelletty pakolliseksi kappaleeksi kuudensia Rostropovitsh-sellokilpailuja varten. Teos jatkaa Kaija Saariahon tuotannossa Graal théâtren myötä syntynyttä uudenlaista jousisoitinajattelua, jossa värielementti on säilyttänyt tärkeytensä, mutta jossa muiden elementtien merkitys on samalla kasvanut. Erityispiirteenä teoksessa on scordaturan käyttö; sen avulla Saariaho on pyrkinyt mm. uudenlaisiin soinnillisiin vaikutelmiin sekä hyödyntämään uusilla tavoilla suosimiaan flageoletti-säveliä.© Kimmo Korhonen, 1998

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Movements

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Abbreviation	Instrument
Woodwind
acl	alto clarinet
afl	alto flute
arec	alto recorder
asax	alto saxophone
barsax	baritone saxophone
barhn	baritone horn
bcl	bass clarinet
bfl	bass flute
bob	bass oboe
bsax	bass saxophone
bsn	bassoon
cbsn	contrabassoon
cl	clarinet
ehn	English horn
fl	flute
hn	French horn
ob	oboe
pic	piccolo
rec	recorder
sax	saxophone
srec	soprano recorder
ssax	soprano saxophone
trec	tenor recorder
tsax	tenor saxophone
Brass
ahn	alto horn
atrb	altotrombone
barhn	baritone horn
btrb	bass trombone
cornet	cornet
euph	euphonium
fhn	flugelhorn
hn	French horn
tba	tuuba
thn	tenor horn
trb	trombone
trp	trumpet
Percussion
dr	drums
glock	glockenspiel
mar	marimba
perc	percussion
timp	timpani
vibr	vibraphone
xyl	xylophone
Strings
db	double bass
gamba	viola da gamba
str	strings
vla	viola
vlc	cello
vln	violin
Other
acc	accordion
cel	celesta
cemb	harpsichord
chords	chords
elbas	electric bass
elg	electric guitar
elorg	electric organ
elpno	electric piano
guit	guitar
harm	harmonium
hca	harmonica
hp	harp
instr	instrument
kantele	kantele
keyb	keyboard
live electr	live electronics
mand	mandolin
mel	melody
org	organ
pno	piano
synth	synthesizer
tape	tape
Vocal
alto	alto
baryt	baritone
basso	bass voice
ch	choir
chc	childrens choir
chf	female choir
chm	male choir
chx	mixed choir
cten	countertenor
mezzo	mezzo-soprano
sopr	soprano
speaker	speaker
ten	tenor
voc	vocal

Symphony orchestra
2222 4331 11 1, str = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 French horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, one other percussionist, harp and strings
Wind band
2252 3 423 21212 3 = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 5 clarinets, 2 bassoons - 3 saxophones - 4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones - 2 cornets, alto horn, 2 tenor horns, baritone horn, 2 tubas - 3 percussionists
Big band
221 4 4, pno, guit, db, dr = 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, guitar, double bass, drums
Additional codes
+	fl+pic = flutist doubles on piccolo
/	pno/org = can be played on either piano or organ
lib	ad libitum
obl	obligato
str	str: 65432 = specified number of string players
str min	str min: 65432 = at least 65432
str max	str max: 65432 = not more than 65432
solo	vln solo = violin is the solo instrument in a work not obviously for solo violin