Composer

:

Harrison Birtwistle

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Lullaby

Compose Date

:

1984

Average_duration

:

3:03

Berceuse de Jeanne is a contemporary classical composition by British composer Harrison Birtwistle. The piece was composed in 1991 and premiered on 17th October of the same year at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The composition is a tribute to Jeanne Loriod, a French musician who was a prominent performer of the ondes Martenot, an early electronic musical instrument. Berceuse de Jeanne is a single-movement work that lasts for approximately 10 minutes. The piece is scored for a small ensemble consisting of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano. The composition is characterized by its use of extended techniques, such as flutter-tonguing on the flute and clarinet, and pizzicato and col legno on the strings. The piano also plays an important role in the piece, with Birtwistle using the instrument to create percussive effects and to provide a rhythmic foundation for the ensemble. The piece begins with a slow, mournful melody played by the violin, which is then taken up by the other instruments. The melody is interrupted by a series of dissonant chords, which gradually build in intensity before giving way to a more lyrical section. This section features a solo on the ondes Martenot, which is played by a member of the ensemble. The ondes Martenot is used to create a haunting, otherworldly sound that adds to the overall atmosphere of the piece. The composition then returns to the opening melody, which is played with greater intensity and urgency. The piece ends with a series of abrupt, staccato chords, which bring the work to a sudden and unexpected close. Overall, Berceuse de Jeanne is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Birtwistle's skill as a composer. The piece is characterized by its use of extended techniques, its haunting melodies, and its complex rhythms and harmonies. It is a fitting tribute to Jeanne Loriod, and a testament to the enduring power of contemporary classical music.

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