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Discussion: Aho: Theremin Concerto, Horn Concerto - Storgårds

Posts: 17
Page: 1 2 next

Post by diw July 12, 2014 (1 of 17)
Well, get ready, because I am sure you are going to receive plenty of criticism on this one! I am sure there's a good story behind it, though.

Post by Hitters July 12, 2014 (2 of 17)
diw said:

Well, get ready, because I am sure you are going to receive plenty of criticism on this one! I am sure there's a good story behind it, though.

Aho?

Post by diw July 12, 2014 (3 of 17)
Yes, the disc will include the theremin concerto and the horn concerto

Post by Hitters July 12, 2014 (4 of 17)
diw said:

Yes, the disc will include the theremin concerto and the horn concerto

Thank you for the info.

Post by steviev July 12, 2014 (5 of 17)
I listened to some samples of the concerto online. Aho has done an amazing job of integrating the theremin with the orchestra such that I didn't feel like laughing the whole time, though I did chuckle a little here and there. All in all, it's quite beautiful, at least the sections I heard. I think it might be helpful in performance to preface the concerto with a little ultrazany solo theremin action played in the most ludicrously stereotyped manner just to relieve oneself of the inevitable chuckles. That way you can actually take the concerto proper seriously.

Post by Hitters July 12, 2014 (6 of 17)
steviev said:

I think it might be helpful in performance to preface the concerto with a little ultrazany solo theremin action played in the most ludicrously stereotyped manner just to relieve oneself of the inevitable chuckles. That way you can actually take the concerto proper seriously.

Sounds like a good idea. I once attended a concert by Uruguayan song writer & singer Jorge Drexler where a Spanish Theremin player contributed on some pieces. It was an exquisite addition and sounded quite magical. It did not produce on us any kind of fun. But I do agree with you that in the context of a very serious piece of music it might produce this reaction on uneducated listeners.

Post by Epsilon July 13, 2014 (7 of 17)
Wow, a theremin concerto?! How odd. It is so intriguing, I may get it in blind faith. While at it, I have never heard a horn concerto either.

All I have heard from Aho is a sample from Symphony No 12 ( Movement 1 - The Shamans) on the supplementary SACD that came with a Gramophone issue.

Post by bissie July 13, 2014 (8 of 17)
steviev said:

I listened to some samples of the concerto online. Aho has done an amazing job of integrating the theremin with the orchestra such that I didn't feel like laughing the whole time, though I did chuckle a little here and there. All in all, it's quite beautiful, at least the sections I heard. I think it might be helpful in performance to preface the concerto with a little ultrazany solo theremin action played in the most ludicrously stereotyped manner just to relieve oneself of the inevitable chuckles. That way you can actually take the concerto proper seriously.

This is a very serious work by a very serious composer and should definitely be taken seriously. The difficulties encountered by the poor soloist are staggering, and the execution of the work absolutely demands an absolutely perfect pitch (which Carolina Eyck possesses). Here is a short introduction to the work (English):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEEjKG2g5Tc&list=UUlmmUWuki0QPA3RSGv5ofoA

The thing is that to control the theremin one has to be acutely listening, since there are no fixed pitches; they are created literally in thin air.
To then sing anything else at the same time is difficult enough, but to have her sing something completely unrelated to what the theremin has to be made doing is tantamount to asking someone to

recite a poem by heart at the same time as
writing a complicated letter with the right hand at the same time as
playing the Prokofiev Concerto for Left Hand with that hand.

I am sure someone can do it, but it still beggars belief.

I am in total awe at this recording, as I am of both the composer's imagination and the performing artists. This is yet another landmark in breaking the barriers of possibility.

Robert

Post by Epsilon July 13, 2014 (9 of 17)
Bissie,

Thanks for providing the link. Great introduction to the piece. You can even download the booklet and other goodies :) if you follow the link.

Post by Hitters July 13, 2014 (10 of 17)
Amazing sonorities. I was really hooked by the short video and am looking forward to listen to this complete concerto.

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