Composer

:

Hilda Paredes

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1998

Average_duration

:

14:50

'Uy U T'an' is a contemporary classical composition by Mexican composer Hilda Paredes. The piece was composed in 1994 and premiered on October 22, 1994, at the Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato, Mexico. 'Uy U T'an' is a three-movement work for string quartet, and its title translates to "the sound of the earth" in the Mayan language. The first movement, titled "Tzolkin," is characterized by its use of microtonal intervals and glissandi, creating a sense of instability and tension. The second movement, "Haab," is more rhythmic and features a driving ostinato in the cello, while the violins and viola play intricate melodic lines. The final movement, "Kin," is the most atmospheric of the three, with the quartet creating a soundscape of sustained harmonics and delicate pizzicato. Paredes' use of microtonal intervals and unconventional playing techniques, such as bowing on the bridge and plucking the strings with the fingernails, creates a unique and otherworldly sound world in 'Uy U T'an.' The piece also draws inspiration from Mayan cosmology, with each movement named after a different aspect of the Mayan calendar. Overall, 'Uy U T'an' is a challenging and thought-provoking work that showcases Paredes' innovative approach to composition and her ability to create evocative and immersive sonic landscapes.

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