Atmenwerk
for ensemble with organ and electronics
Description
The title 'Atmenwerk' refers to the ensemble as a kind of breathing machinery [ger. atmen = breath] – similarly to different ranks of pipes are called in german (e.g. Hauptwerk or Brustwerk). The primary idea of this work is the act of breathing and the diverse musical connotations it carries. Breathing can be rhythmical and active, including an element of friction. In this piece, breathing is also presented by large waves, cyclic and meditative. I was interested by the possibilities that the mechanical stop action of organs offers. With this kind of organ it is possible to create airy multiphonic sounds with gradual changes and pulses – the breathing of organ. These sounds were recorded from the small organ ofst. Pauls Church in Helsinki and were used in the audio track.
Teoksen lähtökohtana oli hengitys. Nimi 'Atmenwerk' viittaa paitsi ensembleen eräänlaisena hengittävänä koneistona (vrt. urkujen Hauptwerk), myös hengitykseen työnä. Hengitystyö voi olla rytmistä ja aktiivista, hankaavan kitkaista, toisaalta taas syklistä ja meditatiivista. Ääniraita koostuu soinneista jotka on nauhoitettu Helsingin Paavalin kirkon kuoriuruilla. Näiden urkujen mekaaninen koneisto mahdollisti multifoniset, huokoisen ilmavat soinnit ja niiden asteittaisen muuntumisen, pulssittumisen – urkujen hengityksen.
Instrumentation
fl+pic+afl, cl, bsn, perc, org, vln, vla, vlc
CategoryChamber Works
Premiere
Jan Lehtola, organ, Zagros Ensemble, Petri Komulainen, cond. November 20, 2023, Helsinki
Commisioned by / dedicationsFor Jan Lehtola and Zagros Ensemble
PDF for promotional useArchive number
MF32174
