Le Tombeau de Mozart
for Violin, Clarinet in B and Piano,
Description
The ‘tombeau’, or memorial tribute to a departed master, is an ancient tradition; this the second by Mr. Tiensuu (his first was to Beethoven). Its relationship to Mozart is oblique: in form it resembles Mozart’s keyboard fantasias, juxtaposing sections in the nature of recitatives, arias, or dances. Shadows of turns of phrase from the 18th century are the basis of an entirely distinctive mode of expression, in which microtonal writing and unusual juxtapositions of the violin and clarinet in the highest register evoke the sounds of mourning with extraordinary intensity.
(from the concert program in Merkin Concert Hall, USA, 1997)
Instrumentation
vln, cl, pno
CategoryChamber Works
PremiereFp: Sakari Oramo, violin, Kari Kriikku, clarinet, Jouko Laivuori, piano, Turku Music Festival, August 18, 1990
Commisioned by / dedications Commissioned by the Turku Music Festival PDF for promotional useArchive number
MF11043
