Composer

:

Arne Nordheim

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1982

Average_duration

:

25:02

Tenebrae is a composition by the Norwegian composer Arne Nordheim. It was composed in 1980 and premiered on October 16, 1980, at the Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival. The piece is divided into three movements and is scored for a large orchestra, including percussion, strings, and brass. The first movement of Tenebrae is marked "Lento misterioso" and is characterized by a haunting, otherworldly atmosphere. The strings play long, sustained notes that create a sense of tension and unease, while the percussion adds a sense of foreboding. The brass section enters later in the movement, adding to the sense of drama and intensity. The second movement, marked "Allegro con brio," is much more energetic and rhythmic than the first. The percussion takes center stage, driving the music forward with a relentless beat. The strings and brass play fast, jagged lines that add to the sense of urgency and excitement. The final movement, marked "Lento misterioso," returns to the atmosphere of the first movement. The strings play long, mournful lines that create a sense of sadness and loss. The percussion and brass add to the sense of drama and tension, but the overall feeling is one of resignation and acceptance. Overall, Tenebrae is a powerful and evocative piece of music that showcases Nordheim's skill as a composer. The use of percussion and brass adds a sense of drama and intensity to the music, while the strings create a haunting, otherworldly atmosphere. The three movements of the piece work together to create a sense of narrative, with the music moving from tension and unease to excitement and urgency before finally settling into a sense of sadness and acceptance.

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