Composer

:

Salvatore Sciarrino

Compose Date

:

1982

Average_duration

:

7:19

"Let me die before I wake" is a contemporary classical composition by Italian composer Salvatore Sciarrino. The piece was composed in 2002 and premiered on October 25th of the same year at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. The composition consists of three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, titled "Lacrime di cera" (Tears of Wax), is characterized by its use of extended techniques on the flute, including flutter-tonguing and breathy, airy sounds. The movement is slow and mournful, with the flute often playing long, sustained notes that gradually rise and fall in pitch. The second movement, "Lacrime di fuoco" (Tears of Fire), is more intense and frenzied than the first. The flute plays rapid, virtuosic runs and trills, accompanied by dissonant, percussive sounds from the piano. The movement is marked by sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo, creating a sense of urgency and instability. The final movement, "Lacrime di sangue" (Tears of Blood), is the most dramatic and climactic of the three. The flute plays long, piercing notes that gradually increase in volume and intensity, while the piano provides a backdrop of ominous, rumbling chords. The movement builds to a frenzied climax before abruptly ending on a single, sustained note from the flute. Overall, "Let me die before I wake" is a haunting and evocative composition that showcases Sciarrino's mastery of extended techniques and unconventional sounds. The piece is a challenging and rewarding work for both performers and audiences alike, and has become a staple of the contemporary classical repertoire.

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