Composer

:

Luigi Nono

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1972

Average_duration

:

30:03

'Como una ola de fuerza y luz' is a composition by Italian composer Luigi Nono. It was composed in 1971 and premiered on October 22, 1971, at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 25 minutes. The first movement, titled "Sofferte onde serene," is a solo for violin and electronics. The title translates to "Serene Waves Suffered," and the movement is characterized by the use of extended techniques on the violin, such as glissandi and harmonics, as well as the manipulation of the violin's sound through electronic processing. The electronics also include recordings of the violinist's voice, which are used to create a haunting, otherworldly effect. The second movement, titled "Lontano," is a piece for large orchestra and electronics. The title translates to "Far Away," and the movement is characterized by its use of spatialization, with different groups of instruments placed in different parts of the performance space. The electronics are used to create a sense of distance and depth, with sounds moving from one part of the space to another. The movement also features moments of intense, dissonant sound, as well as moments of quiet, delicate textures. The third and final movement, titled "Guai ai gelidi mostri," is a piece for soprano, choir, and orchestra. The title translates to "Woe to the Frozen Monsters," and the movement is characterized by its use of text from the poetry of Italian writer Cesare Pavese. The text speaks of the struggle for freedom and the need to resist oppression, and the music reflects this with its intense, passionate vocal lines and driving rhythms. The movement builds to a powerful climax, with the choir and orchestra coming together in a final, triumphant statement. Overall, 'Como una ola de fuerza y luz' is a powerful and emotionally charged work that showcases Nono's skill in combining acoustic and electronic elements to create a unique and compelling sonic landscape. Its use of extended techniques, spatialization, and text setting make it a landmark work in the development of contemporary classical music.

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