Composer

:

Iannis Xenakis

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1960

Atrées is a composition for chamber orchestra composed by Iannis Xenakis in 1962. The piece was premiered on June 22, 1962, at the Donaueschingen Festival in Germany, conducted by Hans Rosbaud. The composition is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, titled "Chant d'Amour," is characterized by its use of microtonal intervals and complex rhythms. The movement begins with a series of dissonant chords played by the strings, which are then joined by the woodwinds and brass. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the different sections of the orchestra playing off each other in a complex interplay of rhythms and textures. The second movement, titled "La Déesse Athéna," is a more subdued and introspective piece. The movement begins with a solo flute playing a simple melody, which is then taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The music is characterized by its use of long, sustained notes and a sense of stasis, with the different sections of the orchestra playing in unison. The final movement, titled "La Fureur d'Atrées," is the most intense and dramatic of the three. The movement begins with a series of dissonant chords played by the brass and percussion, which are then joined by the strings. The music is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and sudden shifts in dynamics, with the different sections of the orchestra playing off each other in a frenzied and chaotic manner. Overall, Atrées is a challenging and complex composition that showcases Xenakis's innovative approach to music. The piece is characterized by its use of microtonal intervals, complex rhythms, and a sense of drama and intensity. Despite its difficulty, Atrées has become a staple of the contemporary classical repertoire and continues to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars around the world.

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