Composer

:

Wolfgang Rihm

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Brass Quintet

Compose Date

:

1985

First Performance

:

Jan 27, 1986

Average_duration

:

9:10

Sine Nomine I is a composition by the German composer Wolfgang Rihm. It was composed in 1974 and premiered on May 17, 1975, in Donaueschingen, Germany. The piece is written for a large orchestra and is divided into three movements. The first movement of Sine Nomine I is marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow) and begins with a series of sustained chords in the strings. The woodwinds and brass gradually enter, creating a dense and dissonant texture. The movement builds to a climax before subsiding into a quiet and introspective coda. The second movement, marked "Sehr schnell" (very fast), is a frenetic and virtuosic scherzo. The orchestra is divided into smaller groups, each playing intricate and complex rhythms. The movement is characterized by its relentless energy and driving pulse. The final movement, marked "Sehr langsam" (very slow), is a meditation on the themes and motifs introduced in the first movement. The orchestra is once again divided into smaller groups, each playing delicate and fragile lines. The movement gradually builds to a climax before fading away into silence. Sine Nomine I is a prime example of Rihm's early style, which is characterized by its use of dense and dissonant harmonies, complex rhythms, and virtuosic instrumental writing. The piece is also notable for its use of extended techniques, such as glissandi, microtones, and multiphonics, which add to its unique and otherworldly sound. Overall, Sine Nomine I is a challenging and rewarding work that showcases Rihm's mastery of orchestration and his unique voice as a composer.

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