Composer

:

Giacinto Scelsi

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1966

Average_duration

:

21:34

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Giacinto Scelsi's Uaxuctum is a composition for choir and orchestra that was composed in 1966. The piece was premiered in 1969 in Palermo, Italy, and was conducted by Bruno Maderna. The composition is divided into three movements, each of which is characterized by its unique musical language and structure. The first movement of Uaxuctum is titled "The Arrival of the Gods in Uaxuctum." This movement is characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies and complex rhythms. The choir sings in a variety of languages, including Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit, and the orchestra features a wide range of percussion instruments, including gongs, cymbals, and drums. The movement builds to a climax with the choir and orchestra reaching a frenzied pitch before abruptly ending. The second movement of Uaxuctum is titled "The Magic Circle." This movement is characterized by its use of sustained tones and slow, meditative rhythms. The choir sings in a variety of languages, including Hebrew and Aramaic, and the orchestra features a solo violin that weaves in and out of the texture. The movement builds to a climax with the choir and orchestra reaching a state of transcendence before slowly fading away. The third and final movement of Uaxuctum is titled "The Prophecy." This movement is characterized by its use of sparse textures and simple harmonies. The choir sings in a variety of languages, including Mayan and Aztec, and the orchestra features a solo trumpet that plays a haunting melody. The movement ends with the choir and orchestra slowly fading away, leaving the listener with a sense of mystery and wonder. Overall, Uaxuctum is a powerful and evocative composition that showcases Scelsi's unique musical language and vision. The piece is characterized by its use of diverse languages, complex rhythms, and dissonant harmonies, and it is a testament to Scelsi's ability to create music that is both challenging and deeply moving.

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