Composer

:

Arne Nordheim

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1988

Average_duration

:

22:45

Magma is a contemporary classical composition by Norwegian composer Arne Nordheim. It was composed in 1959 and premiered on January 22, 1960, at the University of Oslo. The piece is divided into three movements and is approximately 15 minutes in length. The first movement of Magma is characterized by its slow and ominous opening, with the use of low-pitched instruments such as the double bass and contrabassoon. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the addition of higher-pitched instruments such as the violin and flute. The movement reaches a climax with a dissonant chord played by the entire orchestra, followed by a sudden silence. The second movement of Magma is more rhythmic and energetic, with a faster tempo and the use of percussion instruments such as the timpani and snare drum. The music is characterized by its use of repetitive patterns and ostinatos, creating a sense of tension and urgency. The final movement of Magma is the most chaotic and dissonant, with the use of atonal and aleatoric techniques. The music is characterized by its unpredictable and fragmented structure, with sudden shifts in tempo and dynamics. The movement ends with a sudden silence, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved tension. Overall, Magma is a challenging and complex composition that showcases Nordheim's innovative approach to contemporary classical music. The piece is characterized by its use of dissonance, unconventional instrumentation, and experimental techniques, making it a landmark work in the history of Norwegian classical music.

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