Composer

:

Valentin Silvestrov

Genre

:

Chamber

Compose Date

:

2004

Average_duration

:

4:25

Ikon is a composition for string quartet by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov. It was composed in 1994 and premiered in the same year in Kiev, Ukraine. The piece consists of three movements and has a total duration of approximately 25 minutes. The first movement, marked "Lento," is characterized by a slow and mournful melody played by the first violin. The other instruments gradually join in, creating a rich and complex texture. The music is reminiscent of traditional Ukrainian folk music, with its use of modal harmonies and melodic ornamentation. The second movement, marked "Adagio," is more introspective and contemplative. The music is sparse and delicate, with long sustained notes and subtle shifts in harmony. The quartet plays with a hushed and restrained intensity, creating a sense of quiet reverence. The final movement, marked "Andante," is the most lively and energetic of the three. The music is characterized by a driving rhythm and a sense of forward momentum. The quartet plays with a sense of urgency and intensity, building to a powerful climax before gradually fading away. Overall, Ikon is a deeply spiritual and meditative work that reflects Silvestrov's interest in the mystical and transcendent. The music is characterized by its use of modal harmonies, subtle shifts in texture and dynamics, and a sense of quiet introspection. It is a powerful and moving work that has become a staple of the contemporary string quartet repertoire.

More....