Composer

:

Giacinto Scelsi

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1966

Average_duration

:

7:09

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Ko-Lho is a composition for solo flute, composed by Giacinto Scelsi in 1966. It was premiered in Paris in 1967 by the flutist Severino Gazzelloni. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, marked "Lento," is characterized by long, sustained notes and a slow, meditative pace. The flute plays a series of long, sinuous lines that gradually build in intensity, creating a sense of tension and release. The music is highly chromatic, with frequent use of microtones and quarter-tones, giving it a haunting, otherworldly quality. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is much more energetic and virtuosic. The flute plays a series of rapid, staccato notes, punctuated by sudden bursts of sound. The music is highly rhythmic, with irregular meters and complex syncopations. The flute often plays in its upper register, creating a sense of brightness and clarity. The third movement, marked "Lento," returns to the slow, meditative pace of the first movement. The flute plays a series of long, sustained notes, often with a breathy, ethereal quality. The music is highly atmospheric, with frequent use of extended techniques such as flutter-tonguing and harmonics. The piece ends with a long, sustained note that gradually fades away into silence. Overall, Ko-Lho is a highly expressive and evocative piece of music. Scelsi's use of microtones and quarter-tones gives the music a unique, otherworldly quality, while the flute's virtuosic passages and extended techniques add a sense of drama and intensity. The piece is a testament to Scelsi's innovative approach to composition and his ability to create music that is both deeply emotional and intellectually stimulating.

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