Keqrops
Keqrops | |
---|---|
by Iannis Xenakis | |
Genre | Contemporary music |
Form | Piano concerto |
Performed | 13 November 1986 New York : |
Published | 1987 Paris : |
Scoring | Piano and orchestra |
Keqrops (Greek: Κέκροψ, also incorrectly entitled by the composer Κεqροψ, which can be translated as weaving) is a composition for piano and orchestra by Greek/French composer Iannis Xenakis. Due to the prominent role of the piano soloist, it has often been classified as a piano concerto. It was completed in 1986.
Composition
The composition was commissioned by
According to the composer, the title of the composition, as most of his other works, is a
Structure
The composition is in one movement and takes approximately 16 minutes to perform. It is scored for a solo piano and a large orchestra consisting of four flutes, four oboes, four clarinets in B-flat, four bassoons, four French horns in F, four trumpets in C, four trombones, one tuba, one harp, timpani, a percussion section consisting of two bongos, three tom-toms and one bass drum and a large string section consisting of sixteen first violins, fourteen second violins, twelve violas, ten cellos and eight double basses. The instruments are not allowed to play vibrato along the whole composition. The tempo of the composition is ♩ ≙ 48 mm, as marked in the score.[3]
In this piece, the piano and the three families of the orchestra (that is, strings, woodwind and brass) are equal strands of the whole composition. Unlike a typical piano concerto, the structure of the composition does not have ritornello segments or dialogue between the orchestra and the solo piano. Xenakis used large
Reception
In a review for Tempo, Nouritza Matossian praised the work's "glistening sonorities and brilliant and transparent colours," and commented: "I have never heard a work from Xenakis which so strongly asserted its own entity from beginning to end. The moment it was finished I wanted to hear it again."[5]
References
- ISBN 9781576471913.
- ^ Simeone, Nigel (2013). "Music that is Luminous for the Eyes and Sonorous for the Ears" (Liner Notes of Iannis Xenakis - Synaphaï (Decca 478 5430)). London: Decca Music Group Limited. p. 3.
- ^ a b c Xenakis, Iannis (1987). Keqrops. Paris: Éditions Salabert.
- ^ Harley, James (2001). "Iannis Xenakis Keqrops, for piano & 92 musicians". allmusic.com. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
- ^ Matossian, Nouritza (March 1987). "'Keqrops' in New York". Tempo. New Series (160): 56.