Ta Tou Theou
by Einojuhani Rautavaara
(...se mikä on Jumalasta...), Se mikä on Jumalasta, ...se mikä on Jumalasta...
Description
Ta tou Theou or 'To God the things that are God's', was the winner of the Helsinki Cathedral organ composition competition in 1967. In addition to the Greek title, the various movements have Latin names, for both languages are, as it were, sacral original languages in church tradition. I believe that this underlines the composer's cultural-historical and aesthetical approach rather than being confessional. The headings appeal to the imagination and mysticism, somewhat in the manner of Olivier Messiaen. There is, however, a big different in the music itself; Ta tou Theou does not have the exceedingly soft, at times even sweet character of the French master, or his technique of recurring motifs. Instead, its idiom is terse, laconic, relatively unadorned and dissonant.
© Einojuhani Rautavaara
Ta tou Theou eli 'se mikä on Jumalasta' voitti Helsingin Tuomiokirkon urkujen vihkiäisteoksen sävellyskilpailun 1967. Kreikankielisen otsikon lisäksi on eri osilla latinankieliset nimensä, kirkon perinteessähän kumpikin on ikään kuin sakraali alkukieli. Luulen, että näin korostui säveltäjän kulttuurihistoriallinen ja esteettinen asenne - ei niinkään tunnustuksellinen. Nuo otsikot vetoavat mielikuviin ja mystiikkaan, vähän Olivier Messiaenin tapaan. Itse musiikissa on kuitenkin suurta eroa; Ta tou Theoussa ei ole ranskalaisen mestarin ylen pehmeää, joskus makeaakin karakteria eikä motiivien toistotekniikkaa, se on keskitetty ja lakoninen, verraten karua ja dissonoivaa sävelkieltä.
© Einojuhani Rautavaara
Instrumentation org
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 Solo Instrument
Prizes First prize in Helsinki Cathedral organ composition contest 1967.
Premiere
Tapani Valsta, Inauguration of the organ of the Helsinki Cathedral, Helsinki, March 12, 1967.
Movements 1. Nomen Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti, 2. Gaudet in Filio Pater Spiritu Sancto
+ Add information