Composer

:

Lou Harrison

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1961 - 1976

Average_duration

:

9:47

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

The Concerto in Slendro is a composition for piano and Javanese gamelan orchestra, composed by Lou Harrison in 1951. The piece was premiered on May 6, 1952, at Mills College in Oakland, California, with Harrison himself playing the piano part. The concerto is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different Javanese tuning system. The first movement is in the slendro tuning, which is a five-note scale used in Javanese gamelan music. The second movement is in the pelog tuning, which is a seven-note scale, and the third movement is in the madenda tuning, which is a nine-note scale. The first movement of the concerto is characterized by its lively and rhythmic melodies, which are played by the gamelan orchestra and echoed by the piano. The piano part is often virtuosic, with fast runs and intricate rhythms. The second movement is more contemplative, with a slower tempo and more sustained melodies. The piano part is more subdued, providing a gentle accompaniment to the gamelan orchestra. The third movement is the most complex of the three, with intricate rhythms and melodies that weave in and out of each other. The piano part is again virtuosic, with fast runs and complex rhythms. Overall, the Concerto in Slendro is a unique and innovative work that blends Western classical music with Javanese gamelan music. Harrison's use of different tuning systems and his incorporation of traditional Javanese melodies and rhythms make the concerto a fascinating and engaging piece of music.

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