Absence
by Magnus Lindberg
Abwesenheit, L'Absence
for orchestra
Description
How do you approach Ludwig van Beethoven for a conversation? For my
part, I wanted to tread lightly so as not to be intimidating or to be
overwhelmed. To find a starting point for the conversation I chose the
same orchestral forces that Herr van Beethoven used for most of his
symphonies – double woodwinds, two horns, two trumpets, timpani and
strings – also allowing me to share his alphabet.
What struck me when reading the fascinating Konversationshefte
(Conversation Books) of Beethoven, was how the themes ranged from
household practicalities or where to find the best ‘kaffeehaus’ to
sublime philosophical matters.
These sharp contrasts were how he lived, always able to change mood
within a second. Beethoven seemed to be nervously adapted to this: going
from the unexpected to the next unexpected seemed perfectly natural. So
from this I was inspired to embrace contrast rather than avoid it, with
no fear of sharp cuts.
It was not, and could never have been the intention for me as a
21st-century composer to try and remake a masterpiece à la Beethoven.
That would be just ridiculous. But, what I could do was to bring up some
Beethovenian quotes, as you do when politely asking about an idea which
your much more experienced colleague has raised. What does this quote
actually mean and how can it be interpreted?
As for quotes from his music, I wanted to only use a few, namely the
eleventh bar of the slow movement in the Piano Sonata “Les Adieux” Op.
81a, the astonishing sequence at the end of the first movement of the
Second Symphony with the rising chromatic bass line covering the entire
octave, and the opening chord of the Finale of the Ninth Symphony.
The utterly modern ‘dissonances’ speak for themselves and the conversation is happening in the music. As it should.
Magnus Lindberg (August 2020)
Instrumentation 2222 2200 10 0, str
Instrument codes
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 |
Coding for instrument ensembles and orchestras
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 |
Category Works for Orchestra or Large Ensemble
Premiere
Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Lahav Shani, cond. October 8, 2020, Rotterdam
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