Composer

:

Joonas Kokkonen

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1977

Average_duration

:

21:11

"...Durch einen Spiegel..." is a composition by Finnish composer Joonas Kokkonen. It was composed in 1978 and premiered on May 4, 1979, by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paavo Berglund. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 25 minutes. The first movement, marked "Lento," begins with a slow and mysterious introduction featuring the strings and woodwinds. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the brass and percussion joining in, before reaching a climax. The tempo then slows down, and the music becomes more introspective, with the solo violin playing a prominent role. The movement ends quietly, with the solo violin fading away. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is more energetic and rhythmic than the first. It begins with a lively and syncopated theme played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds and brass. The music becomes more complex and dissonant as the movement progresses, with the different sections of the orchestra engaging in a dialogue. The movement ends with a sudden and unexpected silence. The third and final movement, marked "Adagio," is the most introspective and contemplative of the three. It begins with a solo cello playing a mournful melody, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the brass and percussion adding to the emotional weight of the piece. The movement ends with a quiet and peaceful coda, with the solo cello once again playing a prominent role. Overall, "...Durch einen Spiegel..." is a complex and emotionally charged work that showcases Kokkonen's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its use of dissonance and complex rhythms, as well as its introspective and contemplative mood. It is considered one of Kokkonen's most important works and has been performed by orchestras around the world.

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