Composer

:

Rolf Wallin

Genre

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

2003-2007

Average_duration

:

23:52

'Appearances' is a contemporary classical composition by Norwegian composer Rolf Wallin. The piece was composed in 1991 and premiered the same year in Oslo, Norway. It is a work for solo percussion and orchestra, and is divided into three movements. The first movement, titled "The Appearance of the Invisible," begins with a mysterious and atmospheric introduction, featuring the solo percussionist playing a variety of instruments, including marimba, vibraphone, and glockenspiel. The orchestra gradually enters, building to a climax before subsiding into a more subdued section. The movement features complex rhythms and intricate interplay between the soloist and the orchestra. The second movement, "The Appearance of the Visible," is more rhythmic and energetic than the first. The percussionist takes center stage, playing a driving ostinato on the marimba while the orchestra provides a pulsing accompaniment. The movement features a number of virtuosic solos for the percussionist, including a section where they play a rapid-fire series of notes on the snare drum. The final movement, "The Appearance of the Invisible II," returns to the atmospheric mood of the first movement. The percussionist plays a haunting melody on the marimba, accompanied by the orchestra's shimmering strings. The movement gradually builds in intensity, with the percussionist playing more and more complex rhythms and the orchestra adding layers of sound. The piece ends with a sudden, dramatic cutoff. Overall, 'Appearances' is a challenging and complex work that showcases the virtuosity of the solo percussionist and the skill of the orchestra. It is characterized by its intricate rhythms, atmospheric textures, and dramatic contrasts between sections. The piece has been performed by orchestras and percussionists around the world, and is considered a significant work in the contemporary classical repertoire.

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