Harps: "We are in treble."
Boulez: "We are ALL in treble. (trouble)"
One can easily understand why Boulez champions the composer of Osiris. MP is a master. I could go on and on about the way he uses color, his intricate textures, or the way he brilliantly orchestrates his work - creating something that I can only try to begin understanding. Other composers start with a canvas and paint their picture until they fill up the space. MP not only paints his picture, he also creates his own canvas. He fills in the negative space around the three dimensional form. His work requires top musicians to strive to be better than they are already. Players initially think that his work is beyond the realm of physical possibility, and yet MP already knows that it is possible. In performance, the musicians prove him correct.
I went to every concert, sat through each rehearsal, and I still need more time with the piece. Each performance sounded different. In rehearsals, I found myself paying attention to the percussion parts: the exciting wood block solos towards the end of the piece and the way that the composer uses percussion to enhance the color of the orchestra. Thursday night, I was in awe of the brass parts and the 'badass' trumpet cadenza as well as the tongue rams ;). Friday, I was captivated by the violin section and how they were singing for the first time, creating lyrical gestures that were astounding. Saturday night, my favorite, I enjoyed the subtle nuances of the interplay between voices and watched as the energy of the orchestra grew throughout the 20 minute piece.
I went to every concert, sat through each rehearsal, and I still need more time with the piece. Each performance sounded different. In rehearsals, I found myself paying attention to the percussion parts: the exciting wood block solos towards the end of the piece and the way that the composer uses percussion to enhance the color of the orchestra. Thursday night, I was in awe of the brass parts and the 'badass' trumpet cadenza as well as the tongue rams ;). Friday, I was captivated by the violin section and how they were singing for the first time, creating lyrical gestures that were astounding. Saturday night, my favorite, I enjoyed the subtle nuances of the interplay between voices and watched as the energy of the orchestra grew throughout the 20 minute piece.
I feel lucky to have witnessed the "birth" of Osiris. It gives me hope that composition is going in the right direction. At least I know one person from our generation will be continuing the legacy of great German composers.
