Composer

:

Wolfgang Rihm

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1991 - 1992

First Performance

:

Jun 13, 1992

Average_duration

:

24:20

Gesungene Zeit is a contemporary classical composition by German composer Wolfgang Rihm. It was composed in 1991 and premiered on October 17, 1991, in Donaueschingen, Germany. The piece is scored for soprano, baritone, and chamber orchestra. The composition is divided into five movements, each with its own distinct character and musical language. The first movement, "Zeit ist ein Fluss," is a slow and meditative piece that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The second movement, "Gesang der Zeit," is a more lively and rhythmic piece that features the soprano and baritone singing in unison. The third movement, "Zeit ist ein Raum," is a haunting and atmospheric piece that features the soprano singing a solo accompanied by the orchestra. The fourth movement, "Zeit ist ein Augenblick," is a frenetic and chaotic piece that features the baritone singing a solo accompanied by the orchestra. The final movement, "Zeit ist ein Traum," is a slow and reflective piece that brings the work to a peaceful and contemplative close. Throughout the composition, Rihm employs a wide range of musical techniques, including atonality, dissonance, and extended techniques for the instruments. One of the most striking characteristics of Gesungene Zeit is its use of text. The piece features texts by a variety of poets, including Rainer Maria Rilke, Paul Celan, and Friedrich Nietzsche. The texts are often fragmented and abstract, and Rihm uses them to create a sense of timelessness and transcendence. Overall, Gesungene Zeit is a complex and challenging work that showcases Rihm's mastery of contemporary classical composition. Its use of text, musical language, and orchestration create a powerful and evocative work that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally moving.

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