Composer

:

Ramón Lazkano

Genre

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

2002

Average_duration

:

01:41

Gentle Sway is a contemporary classical composition by the Basque composer Ramón Lazkano. The piece was composed in 2006 and premiered on October 27th of the same year at the Kursaal Auditorium in San Sebastian, Spain. Gentle Sway is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 15 minutes. The piece is scored for a chamber orchestra consisting of 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, 1 tuba, 1 percussionist, and strings. The piece is characterized by its use of extended techniques and unconventional sounds. Lazkano employs techniques such as flutter-tonguing, multiphonics, and microtonal inflections to create a unique sound world. The percussionist is also called upon to use a variety of instruments, including maracas, temple blocks, and a tam-tam, to add to the piece's sonic palette. The piece is structured around a series of contrasting sections that are linked together by a recurring motif. The opening section features a slow, lyrical melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds. This melody is then transformed and developed throughout the piece, with each section exploring different textures and moods. One of the most striking features of Gentle Sway is its use of silence. The piece is punctuated by moments of stillness and quiet, which serve to heighten the impact of the more intense sections. The percussionist also plays a key role in creating these moments of silence, with the use of long pauses between notes and the gradual fading out of sounds. Overall, Gentle Sway is a haunting and evocative work that showcases Lazkano's skill as a composer. Its use of unconventional sounds and extended techniques creates a unique sound world that is both challenging and rewarding for performers and listeners alike.

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