Composer

:

Johannes Maria Staud

Genre

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

2011

Average_duration

:

11:21

"Maniai" is a contemporary classical composition by Austrian composer Johannes Maria Staud. The piece was composed in 2004 and premiered on February 17, 2005, by the Ensemble Intercontemporain at the Cité de la Musique in Paris. The composition is divided into three movements, each exploring different aspects of the concept of "maniai," which is a Greek term for obsessive-compulsive disorder. The first movement, titled "Maniai I," is characterized by its frenetic energy and complex rhythms, which evoke the sense of a mind in turmoil. The second movement, "Maniai II," is more introspective, with long, sustained notes and a sense of unease that builds throughout the piece. The final movement, "Maniai III," is the most explosive of the three, with sudden bursts of sound and a sense of release that comes after the tension of the previous movements. Staud's use of instrumentation is particularly noteworthy in "Maniai." The piece is scored for a large ensemble, including strings, winds, brass, percussion, and electronics. Staud makes use of extended techniques throughout the piece, such as glissandi, harmonics, and multiphonics, which add to the sense of unease and disorientation. Overall, "Maniai" is a powerful and intense composition that explores the complexities of obsessive-compulsive disorder through music. Staud's use of rhythm, instrumentation, and extended techniques creates a sense of unease and tension that is both unsettling and captivating.

More....