Composer

:

Henri Dutilleux

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1985 - 1991

Publication Date

:

1995

First Performance

:

Sep 9, 1991

Average_duration

:

13:45

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Henri Dutilleux's 'Diptyque: Les citations' is a two-movement work for oboe, harpsichord, double bass, and percussion. It was composed in 1985 and premiered on January 23, 1986, at the Salle Gaveau in Paris, France. The first movement, titled 'Henri Purcell: Hommage à John Blow,' is a tribute to the English Baroque composer. It begins with a solo oboe playing a theme from Purcell's 'Fantasia upon One Note.' The harpsichord and double bass then join in, playing variations on the theme. The percussion adds a rhythmic element to the piece, with the use of a woodblock, maracas, and a tambourine. The movement ends with a return to the original theme, played by the oboe. The second movement, titled 'Béla Bartók: Hommage à R. Sch.,' is a tribute to the Hungarian composer Béla Bartók and his friend and fellow composer, R. Sch. The movement begins with a solo oboe playing a theme from Bartók's 'Mikrokosmos.' The harpsichord and double bass then join in, playing variations on the theme. The percussion adds a more complex rhythmic element to the piece, with the use of a snare drum, cymbals, and a bass drum. The movement ends with a return to the original theme, played by the oboe. Overall, 'Diptyque: Les citations' is characterized by its use of quotations from other composers and its exploration of different musical styles. Dutilleux's use of the oboe as the main solo instrument gives the piece a lyrical quality, while the use of the harpsichord and percussion adds a more rhythmic and percussive element. The piece is also notable for its use of extended techniques, such as multiphonics and flutter-tonguing, which add to the overall complexity and richness of the work.

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