Composer

:

Giacinto Scelsi

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1958

Average_duration

:

13:03

Giacinto Scelsi's 'Canti (3) sacri' is a composition for solo voice and chamber orchestra. It was composed in 1958 and premiered in Rome in the same year. The work consists of three movements, each of which is based on a sacred text from different religious traditions. The first movement, 'Hymnos', is based on a Greek Orthodox hymn. It is characterized by a slow and meditative tempo, with the voice and orchestra moving in a series of long, sustained phrases. The vocal part is written in a highly ornamented style, with the singer using a range of vocal techniques to create a sense of otherworldly beauty. The second movement, 'Yliam', is based on a text from the Hindu Upanishads. It is more rhythmic and energetic than the first movement, with the orchestra providing a pulsing, driving accompaniment to the vocal line. The vocal part is again highly ornamented, with the singer using a range of vocal techniques to create a sense of ecstatic intensity. The final movement, 'Ghanti', is based on a Tibetan Buddhist chant. It is the most complex and challenging of the three movements, with the orchestra and voice moving in intricate counterpoint. The vocal part is again highly ornamented, with the singer using a range of vocal techniques to create a sense of spiritual transcendence. Overall, 'Canti (3) sacri' is a work of great beauty and spiritual depth. It showcases Scelsi's unique approach to composition, which emphasizes the use of sound and timbre over traditional melodic and harmonic structures. The work is a testament to the power of music to transcend cultural and religious boundaries, and to connect us to something greater than ourselves.

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