Composer

:

Bruno Maderna

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Open Form

Compose Date

:

1969

Average_duration

:

36:35

Quadrivium is a composition for orchestra by Italian composer Bruno Maderna. It was composed in 1955 and premiered on October 28, 1955, in Donaueschingen, Germany, by the Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hans Rosbaud. The composition is divided into four movements, each of which is named after one of the four subjects of the medieval quadrivium: arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. The movements are played without a break, and the entire piece lasts approximately 20 minutes. The first movement, "Arithmetic," is characterized by a rhythmic and melodic complexity that reflects the mathematical subject matter. The music is built around a series of repeating patterns that gradually shift and evolve over time. The second movement, "Geometry," is more contemplative and introspective. The music is built around a series of slowly unfolding melodic lines that are layered on top of one another to create a rich and complex texture. The third movement, "Music," is the most energetic and dynamic of the four. It features a series of driving rhythms and complex harmonies that build to a frenzied climax before subsiding into a more contemplative coda. The final movement, "Astronomy," is the most expansive and contemplative of the four. It features a series of slowly unfolding melodic lines that are punctuated by bursts of rhythmic activity. The music gradually builds to a climax before subsiding into a quiet and introspective coda. Overall, Quadrivium is a complex and challenging work that reflects Maderna's interest in the intersection of music and mathematics. It is characterized by a rich and complex harmonic language, intricate rhythmic patterns, and a sense of intellectual rigor that is typical of Maderna's work.

More....