Composer

:

Luigi Nono

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Electronic Music

Compose Date

:

1983

Average_duration

:

43:59

"Guai ai gelidi mostri" is a composition by Italian composer Luigi Nono, which was composed in 1983. The piece was premiered on October 7, 1983, at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. The composition is divided into three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, titled "Introduzione," is characterized by its use of extended techniques on the instruments, such as flutter-tonguing on the winds and string glissandi. The movement begins with a solo clarinet, which is gradually joined by other instruments until the full ensemble is playing. The music is dissonant and atonal, with no clear tonal center. The second movement, titled "Sul ponte di Hiroshima," is a setting of a poem by Japanese poet Tamiki Hara. The poem describes the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and Nono's music reflects the horror and devastation of the event. The music is slow and mournful, with long, sustained notes and dissonant harmonies. The text is sung by a solo soprano, who is accompanied by the ensemble. The third movement, titled "Canti di vita e d'amore: sul ponte di Hiroshima," is a setting of another poem by Tamiki Hara. This poem is more hopeful than the previous one, and Nono's music reflects this with brighter harmonies and more energetic rhythms. The text is sung by a chorus, who are accompanied by the ensemble. Overall, "Guai ai gelidi mostri" is a powerful and emotionally charged composition that reflects Nono's political and social concerns. The use of extended techniques and dissonant harmonies creates a sense of unease and tension, while the settings of Tamiki Hara's poems provide a poignant commentary on the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit.

More....