Genesis
by Aarre Merikanto
Sopraano-soololle, sekakuorolle ja orkesterille
Description
Genesis was to be the last large-scale work by Aarre Merikanto. In 1956 it won second prize in a composition competition held by the Finnish Cultural Foundation in which the first prize went to his Tuhma (1956). He later said of the two works, "Genesis is many times the superior, both its form and its content. But that is nothing new, for I knew I had given my best in Genesis." The work begins in a mood of presentiment but gradually acquires a more dynamic guise, culminating in two mighty waves. In style it represents the simplified idiom of Merikanto's later period.
© Kimmo Korhonen, March 2000
(translated by © Susan Sinisalo)
Genesis jäi Merikannon viimeiseksi laajamuotoiseksi teokseksi. Se sai vuonna 1956 toisen palkinnon Kulttuurirahaston sävellyskilpailussa, jossa Merikannon Tuhma (1956) voitti ensipalkinnon. Säveltäjä totesi kuitenkin myöhemmin, että kahdesta teoksesta "...'Genesis' on monta astetta korkeammalla, niin muotoon kuin sisältöönkin nähden. Mutta tämä ei ollut uutta, tiesinhän, että 'Genesiksessä' olin antanut parastani..." Teos alkaa aavistelevissa tunnelmissa mutta saa vähitellen dynaamisemman ilmeen ja kasvaa kahteen huipentavaan nousuaaltoon. Tyyliltään Genesis edustaa Merikannon myöhäiskauden yksinkertaistunutta ilmaisua.
© Kimmo Korhonen, 3/2000
Instrumentation 3222 4221 12 0, str, chx, sopr [2fl+2pic, cfag, btrb.]
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 Vocal and Choral Works
Language Fi
Lyricist Lyy Toivo (san.)
Prizes 2nd prize in a composition competition by the Finnish Cultural Foundation
Premiere
Fp: Karita Mattila, soprano, Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra, cond. Ulf Söderblom, Lahti (Finland) 7 May 1987
Archive number MF229
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