Composer

:

Luciano Berio

Genre

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1954

Average_duration

:

06:58

"Nones" is a composition for solo voice and chamber orchestra, composed by Italian composer Luciano Berio in 1954. The piece was premiered in Milan on May 27, 1954, by the soprano Cathy Berberian and the Orchestra della Scala, conducted by Nino Sanzogno. The composition is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, "Sasparilla," is based on a poem by E. E. Cummings. The second movement, "O King," is based on a text by James Joyce, and the third movement, "Aria," is based on a text by the composer himself. The first movement, "Sasparilla," is characterized by its playful and whimsical nature. The vocal line is highly virtuosic, with the soprano navigating complex rhythms and intervals with ease. The orchestra provides a lively and colorful accompaniment, with a prominent role for the percussion section. The second movement, "O King," is more somber and introspective. The text is a meditation on the nature of power and authority, and the music reflects this with its slow, mournful melodies and sparse instrumentation. The vocal line is more restrained than in the first movement, with the soprano singing long, sustained notes that gradually build in intensity. The third movement, "Aria," is the most experimental of the three. The text is a series of nonsense syllables and sounds, and the music reflects this with its fragmented, disjointed melodies and unpredictable rhythms. The vocal line is highly virtuosic, with the soprano navigating a series of complex vocal techniques, including glissandi, trills, and multiphonics. Overall, "Nones" is a highly innovative and challenging work that showcases Berio's unique approach to composition. The piece is characterized by its virtuosic vocal writing, colorful orchestration, and experimental use of text and sound.

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