Thomas Adès

All compositions

Aquifer

orchestra

Year
2024
Duration
00:17:00
Category
  • Full Orchestra

Instrumentation

3(III=picc).3(III=ca).2.bcl.3(III=contraforte (or cbsn)) – 4.3(I=ptpt).2tbrn.btbrn.1 – timp – perc (6 - crot/glsp/vib/tbellls/2 bell plates/tam-t/siz.cym/clash cyms/susp.cym/hi-hat/4 metal bars (scaffolding bars)/SD/BD/2 rattles (big and small)/whip) – strings (double basses require extensions down to low C, or 5 string bass. Half of the section requires a low B)

Commission

Commissioned by the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks for the inaugural season of Chief Conductor Sir Simon Rattle with support from Carnegie Hall and the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien

Auftragswerk des Symphonieorchesters des Bayerischen Rundfunk für die erste Spielzeit ihres Chefdirigentes Sir Simon Rattle mit Unterstützung der Carnegie Hall und der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien

Programme notes

This work is a musical structure in one movement, requiring seven sections. In the first section, beginning with an introduction in which the material wells up from the deepest notes, the theme is presented first by the flutes and then builds to three statements in all using more and more of the orchestra. After a breakdown, the slower second section presents the theme again but with more unstable rhythm and harmony. There follows a slow section with a crawling chromatic bass line. This culminates in an acceleration into the fast-flowing fourth section, which in turns slows to a mysterious stillness. From there the fifth section builds with all elements gradually combining towards a return to the opening material, which again breaks down to a darker slow section with dragging movement, from which the music escapes into a reprise of the fast-flowing fourth section, culminating in an ecstatic coda.

Thomas Adès

Availability

Score available on special sale from the hire library. Parts available for hire.

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