Composer

:

Sofia Gubaidulina

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

2007

Average_duration

:

32:45

In tempus praesens is a violin concerto composed by Sofia Gubaidulina in 2007. It was commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker and premiered on September 14, 2007, with Anne-Sophie Mutter as the soloist and the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Simon Rattle. The concerto consists of three movements, each with its own distinct character and musical language. The first movement, "Largo", is characterized by a slow and meditative pace, with the solo violin playing long, sustained notes that gradually build in intensity. The orchestra provides a backdrop of shimmering harmonies and delicate textures, creating a sense of otherworldly beauty. The second movement, "Allegro", is a frenzied and virtuosic tour-de-force for the solo violin. The orchestra provides a driving, rhythmic pulse that propels the soloist through a series of intricate and demanding passages. The movement is marked by sudden shifts in tempo and mood, creating a sense of unpredictability and excitement. The final movement, "Cadenza", is a solo cadenza for the violin that showcases the full range of the instrument's capabilities. The soloist explores a variety of extended techniques, including harmonics, glissandi, and pizzicato, creating a kaleidoscope of colors and textures. The movement builds to a climactic finish, with the soloist unleashing a flurry of virtuosic runs and trills. Throughout the concerto, Gubaidulina explores themes of time and eternity, using musical techniques such as canons, palindromes, and mirror images to create a sense of cyclical time and infinite space. The work is characterized by its use of unconventional timbres and textures, including the use of prepared piano and percussion, as well as its incorporation of elements from various musical traditions, including Russian folk music and Gregorian chant. Overall, In tempus praesens is a powerful and deeply expressive work that showcases Gubaidulina's unique voice as a composer and her mastery of the violin as a solo instrument.

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