Composer

:

Witold Lutosławski

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1965

Average_duration

:

15:06

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

'Paroles tissées' is a composition for soprano and orchestra, composed by Witold Lutosławski in 1965. The piece was premiered on October 22, 1965, in Warsaw, Poland, with the composer conducting the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and the soprano Halina Łukomska as the soloist. The composition consists of three movements, each based on a different poem by Jean-François Chabrun. The first movement, 'Le grand écart', is characterized by a lively and rhythmic orchestral accompaniment, which contrasts with the more lyrical and expressive vocal line. The second movement, 'Le sang', is more introspective and somber, with the orchestra providing a sparse and atmospheric backdrop for the soprano's mournful melody. The final movement, 'Le grand jeu', is the most complex and virtuosic of the three, with the soprano navigating a series of intricate vocal lines that are interwoven with the orchestra's dense and colorful textures. One of the most striking characteristics of 'Paroles tissées' is Lutosławski's use of aleatoric techniques, which allow for a certain degree of improvisation and spontaneity in the performance. In the first movement, for example, the orchestra is instructed to play certain sections in a "free rhythm", while in the third movement, the soprano is given a series of "cue notes" that she must use to guide her improvisation. Overall, 'Paroles tissées' is a challenging and rewarding work that showcases Lutosławski's mastery of both orchestration and vocal writing. Its innovative use of aleatoric techniques and its expressive and virtuosic vocal lines make it a standout piece in the composer's oeuvre.

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