Composer

:

Chinary Ung

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Piece

Compose Date

:

2004

First Performance

:

Nov 16, 2004

Average_duration

:

15:19

Oracle is a contemporary classical composition by Cambodian-American composer Chinary Ung. It was composed in 2004 and premiered on March 5, 2005, by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, conducted by Gil Rose. The piece is divided into three movements and has a total duration of approximately 25 minutes. The first movement, titled "Invocation," begins with a haunting and mysterious melody played by the strings. The woodwinds and brass then enter, creating a dissonant and chaotic texture. The percussion adds to the tension with its use of metallic sounds and irregular rhythms. The movement builds to a climax before ending abruptly. The second movement, "Incantation," is more rhythmic and energetic than the first. It features a driving ostinato in the percussion and a lively melody in the woodwinds. The brass and strings add to the intensity with their use of dissonant harmonies and complex rhythms. The movement ends with a sudden silence. The final movement, "Divination," is the longest and most complex of the three. It begins with a slow and mournful melody played by the strings. The woodwinds and brass then enter, creating a dense and dissonant texture. The percussion adds to the complexity with its use of multiple rhythms and timbres. The movement builds to a frenzied climax before ending with a quiet and introspective coda. Overall, Oracle is a challenging and complex work that showcases Chinary Ung's unique style of blending traditional Cambodian music with contemporary classical techniques. The piece is characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies, irregular rhythms, and unconventional timbres. It is a powerful and evocative work that explores themes of spirituality, mysticism, and the unknown.

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