Epyllion
by Usko Meriläinen
Description
Epyllion marked the beginning of a new era in Meriläinen’s output. It was completed in the middle of his brief dodecaphonic period, but although it is based on a row, it is not really 12-note music proper. Instead, it begins to sketch in freer gestures or ‘characters’ as he himself calls them, though his ‘character technique’ proper was not to be crystallised for another few years yet. His new stylistic ideals are reflected in Epyllion above all in the focus on colorism.
© Kimmo Korhonen, November 1998
(translated by © Susan Sinisalo, February 1999)
Epyllion on murroskauden teos Meriläisen tuotannossa. Se on valmistunut Meriläisen lyhyeksi jääneen dodekafonisen kauden keskellä, mutta vaikka sen lähtökohtana on ollut sävelrivi, se ei enää edusta varsinaista dodekafoniaa. Sen sijaan Meriläinen on alkanut luonnostella vapaammin hahmottuvia eleitä, ”karaktereita” niin kuin itse niitä luonnehtii, vaikka varsinaisesti hänen ”karakteritekniikkansa” kiteytyi vasta muutamaa vuotta myöhemmin. Uudenlaiset tyylilliset ihanteet kuuluvat Epyllionissa ennen muuta kolorismin keskeisyytenä.
© Kimmo Korhonen, 11/1998
Instrumentation 3333 4331 12 1, cel, guit, str [fl+pic, afl, ehn, bcl, cfag.(pno/cel?, kts. säv.esite)]
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
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Jorma Panula, Sibelius Festival, Helsinki, June 5, 1964.
Commisioned by / dedications Commissioned by the Bote & Bock, Berlin.
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