Composer

:

Frank Martin

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Passacaglia

Compose Date

:

1962

First Performance

:

May 30, 1963

Average_duration

:

12:42

Frank Martin's Passacaille, version for large orchestra, was composed in 1944 and premiered in Zurich, Switzerland on January 28, 1945. The piece is a single movement work that is approximately 10 minutes in length. The Passacaille is a musical form that is characterized by a repeating bass line or harmonic progression. Martin's Passacaille is no exception, as it features a repeating bass line that is heard throughout the entire piece. However, Martin's Passacaille is unique in that the bass line is not always heard in its entirety, but rather in fragments that are developed and transformed throughout the piece. The Passacaille begins with a somber and mysterious introduction that sets the tone for the entire piece. The bass line is introduced and is immediately transformed through the use of chromaticism and dissonance. The orchestra gradually builds in intensity, with the brass and percussion adding to the tension. The middle section of the Passacaille features a beautiful and lyrical melody that is introduced by the strings. The melody is then passed around to different sections of the orchestra, with each section adding their own unique color and texture to the music. The bass line is still present, but it is now heard in a more subdued and subtle manner. The final section of the Passacaille is a return to the opening material, but with a heightened sense of drama and intensity. The bass line is now heard in its full form, and the orchestra builds to a powerful climax before coming to a sudden and abrupt end. Overall, Martin's Passacaille is a masterful example of the Passacaille form. The use of chromaticism and dissonance, along with the subtle transformations of the bass line, create a sense of tension and drama that is maintained throughout the entire piece. The lyrical middle section provides a beautiful contrast to the more intense opening and closing sections, and the orchestration is both colorful and effective in conveying the emotional content of the music.

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