Composer

:

Lou Harrison

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

Dec 31, 1990

Average_duration

:

2:16

Threnody for Oliver Daniel is a composition by Lou Harrison, an American composer, and music theorist. The piece was composed in 1977 and premiered on May 7, 1978, in San Francisco. The composition is a tribute to Oliver Daniel, a friend of Harrison's who was a musicologist and a co-founder of the Archive of Recorded Sound at Stanford University. Threnody for Oliver Daniel is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 15 minutes. The piece is scored for a chamber orchestra consisting of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The composition is characterized by its use of just intonation, a tuning system that uses pure intervals based on the harmonic series, rather than the equal temperament system used in Western music. The piece begins with a slow, mournful melody played by the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds and brass. The melody is based on a pentatonic scale, which gives it a haunting, otherworldly quality. The percussion enters, adding a rhythmic pulse to the piece, and the melody is developed and expanded upon by the various instruments. Throughout the piece, Harrison uses a variety of techniques to create a sense of tension and release. The use of just intonation gives the harmonies a unique, shimmering quality, and the orchestration is carefully balanced to create a rich, full sound. The piece builds to a climax before gradually fading away, leaving the listener with a sense of quiet contemplation. Overall, Threnody for Oliver Daniel is a beautiful and moving tribute to a friend and colleague. Harrison's use of just intonation and his careful attention to orchestration create a unique and powerful sound world that is both haunting and uplifting. The piece is a testament to Harrison's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that speaks to the heart and soul.

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