Composer

:

Iannis Xenakis

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1979

Average_duration

:

11:15

Palimpsest is a composition for large orchestra, composed by Iannis Xenakis in 1979. The piece was premiered on October 18, 1981, by the Orchestre National de France, conducted by Gilbert Amy, at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The title of the piece refers to a manuscript or piece of writing that has been erased or scraped off, but still bears traces of its previous content. This concept is reflected in the music, which is characterized by layers of sound that are constantly being added, erased, and transformed. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores different aspects of this palimpsestic structure. The first movement, titled "Metastaseis," is characterized by a dense, swirling texture of sound that gradually builds in intensity. The second movement, "Pithoprakta," is more rhythmic and percussive, with jagged, angular lines that seem to collide and overlap. The final movement, "Epei," is more spacious and contemplative, with long, sustained tones that gradually fade away. Throughout the piece, Xenakis makes use of a variety of techniques to create his distinctive sound world. These include microtonal tuning systems, complex rhythmic structures, and the use of stochastic processes to generate musical material. The result is a work that is both highly structured and deeply expressive, with a sense of organic growth and transformation that reflects the palimpsestic nature of the title.

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