Composer

:

Claude Vivier

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Compose Date

:

1980

Average_duration

:

14:58

Claude Vivier's 'Zipangu' is a composition for orchestra that was completed in 1980. The piece was premiered on March 12, 1981, by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Charles Dutoit. 'Zipangu' is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 25 minutes. The piece is characterized by its use of unconventional orchestration and its incorporation of Japanese musical elements. Vivier was fascinated by Japanese culture and had traveled to Japan several times before composing 'Zipangu.' The title of the piece is a reference to the ancient name for Japan, which translates to "Land of Gold." The opening of the piece features a solo for the shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute. The shakuhachi is accompanied by a soft, sustained chord in the strings, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere. The orchestra gradually builds in intensity, with the addition of percussion and brass instruments. Throughout the piece, Vivier employs a variety of extended techniques, such as flutter-tonguing in the brass and string glissandi. The orchestration is often sparse, with individual instruments or small groups of instruments playing isolated fragments of melody. The overall effect is one of fragmentation and disorientation, as if the listener is being transported to an unfamiliar and otherworldly place. The climax of the piece features a frenzied, rhythmic section with pounding percussion and dissonant brass chords. This section gradually subsides, and the piece ends with a return to the serene opening material, with the shakuhachi once again playing a solo over sustained strings. 'Zipangu' is a haunting and evocative work that showcases Vivier's unique musical voice. Its incorporation of Japanese musical elements and unconventional orchestration make it a standout piece in the contemporary classical repertoire.

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