Composer

:

Peter Eötvös

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

2002

Average_duration

:

21:39

Jet Stream is a contemporary classical composition by Hungarian composer Peter Eötvös. It was composed in 2002 and premiered on October 17, 2002, at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall, conducted by Simon Rattle. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 25 minutes. The first movement, titled "Cirrus," is characterized by its ethereal and atmospheric quality. The music is built around a series of ascending and descending scales, which create a sense of upward movement. The use of percussion, including marimba and vibraphone, adds to the otherworldly feel of the piece. The second movement, "Cumulus," is more energetic and rhythmic than the first. It features a driving ostinato in the strings, which is punctuated by bursts of brass and percussion. The movement builds to a frenzied climax before subsiding into a more subdued section, which features a haunting solo for the bass clarinet. The final movement, "Stratus," is the longest of the three and is characterized by its slow, meditative quality. The music is built around a series of sustained chords, which gradually shift and evolve over time. The movement features a number of solos for various instruments, including the flute, oboe, and trumpet. The piece ends with a quiet, introspective coda. Overall, Jet Stream is a highly atmospheric and evocative piece of music. Eötvös's use of orchestration is particularly noteworthy, with the composer making full use of the various colors and textures available to him. The piece is also notable for its use of extended techniques, such as flutter-tonguing and multiphonics, which add to the otherworldly feel of the music.

More....