Composer

:

Gérard Grisey

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1979

Average_duration

:

21:59

Tempus ex machina is a composition for large orchestra by French composer Gérard Grisey. It was composed in 2000 and premiered on February 22, 2001, by the Orchestre National de France conducted by David Robertson. The piece is divided into three movements, each exploring different aspects of time and its relationship to music. The first movement, "Transitoires," is characterized by its use of microtonal intervals and gradual shifts in pitch and timbre. The second movement, "Épilogue," is a slow and meditative piece that features long sustained notes and a sense of stasis. The final movement, "Mégalithes," is a fast and energetic piece that builds to a frenzied climax before abruptly ending. One of the defining characteristics of Tempus ex machina is its use of spectral techniques, which involve analyzing the harmonic content of sounds and using that information to create new timbres and textures. Grisey was a pioneer of this approach, which he called "musique spectrale," and it is a hallmark of much of his work. Another notable aspect of Tempus ex machina is its exploration of time as a musical parameter. Grisey was interested in the idea of time as a continuum, and he sought to create music that reflected this idea. In Tempus ex machina, he uses techniques such as gradual shifts in pitch and timbre, as well as the use of sustained notes and silences, to create a sense of time that is fluid and constantly evolving. Overall, Tempus ex machina is a complex and challenging work that showcases Grisey's innovative approach to composition. Its use of spectral techniques and exploration of time as a musical parameter make it a significant contribution to contemporary music.

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