Symphony No. 6 Living Earth
So this entire week has for the music building has been consumed by the composer-in-residence David Maslanka and his "Contemporary American Music Festival." All departments were involved and performed at least one of his pieces every night. However, last nights WORLD PREMIERE of his new symphony "Living Earth" was for me the highlight of the entire week.
I was so jealous that Jason got to play it, and pissed off that I cant play a string instrument. I am worthless!
The symphony was based on Maslankas love for the life and beauty of the earth. How convient that it premiered on earth day.
The first movement was pretty standard..introduction of theme and all that, but the colors and tones captured the feeling of nature in a way I never thought I would hear.
Second movement was "Rain" which was the most sensitive and still moving piece Ive ever heard.
Third movement was "November- Geese on the Wing." ALthough this movement was much shorter I loved that there was no distinct melody, just colors coming for all different sections. The violins arpeggiating repeatedly, bass's holding a G through the entire movement, woodwinds playing so soft you could barely hear it. You could just see the leaves changing colors.
Forth movement was "Dreamer." This was probably my favorite movement. It seemed like movie music to me. Like Christmas time. very soft playing with explosive transitions and then soft again. Like a reoccuring dream. I love the way it ended with the piano playing way high in its register this haunting melody and the slowly fade it out.
Fifth movement "Living Earth 2." This movement was basically a reintroduction of the theme in the first movement but it just rocked so much harder. They took it at a tempo of 170
(really fucking fast) and I almost thought it was all going to go to shit, but amazingly it didnt. Simply said, it was intense.
Now I realize that most of you probably dont give a shit about classic contemporary symphonies and dotn understand, and thats ok. I just felt the need to talk about it because Ive never understood a syphony the way I did this one. It simply blew me away. WHen I left I felt I had just woken up from a refreshing nap.
which is what I think Ill go do now.
I was so jealous that Jason got to play it, and pissed off that I cant play a string instrument. I am worthless!
The symphony was based on Maslankas love for the life and beauty of the earth. How convient that it premiered on earth day.
The first movement was pretty standard..introduction of theme and all that, but the colors and tones captured the feeling of nature in a way I never thought I would hear.
Second movement was "Rain" which was the most sensitive and still moving piece Ive ever heard.
Third movement was "November- Geese on the Wing." ALthough this movement was much shorter I loved that there was no distinct melody, just colors coming for all different sections. The violins arpeggiating repeatedly, bass's holding a G through the entire movement, woodwinds playing so soft you could barely hear it. You could just see the leaves changing colors.
Forth movement was "Dreamer." This was probably my favorite movement. It seemed like movie music to me. Like Christmas time. very soft playing with explosive transitions and then soft again. Like a reoccuring dream. I love the way it ended with the piano playing way high in its register this haunting melody and the slowly fade it out.
Fifth movement "Living Earth 2." This movement was basically a reintroduction of the theme in the first movement but it just rocked so much harder. They took it at a tempo of 170
(really fucking fast) and I almost thought it was all going to go to shit, but amazingly it didnt. Simply said, it was intense.
Now I realize that most of you probably dont give a shit about classic contemporary symphonies and dotn understand, and thats ok. I just felt the need to talk about it because Ive never understood a syphony the way I did this one. It simply blew me away. WHen I left I felt I had just woken up from a refreshing nap.
which is what I think Ill go do now.