Composer

:

Giacinto Scelsi

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Quartet

Compose Date

:

1965 - 1967

Average_duration

:

4:37

"Elohim" is a composition for solo cello, composed by Giacinto Scelsi in 1965. The piece was premiered in Paris in 1966 by the cellist Siegfried Palm. The composition consists of three movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, titled "Lento," is characterized by slow, sustained notes that gradually build in intensity. The cello's sound is often muted, creating a haunting, ethereal quality. The movement is marked by sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo, creating a sense of tension and release. The second movement, titled "Molto vivace," is a stark contrast to the first. It is fast-paced and frenetic, with the cello playing rapid, virtuosic passages. The movement is marked by sudden stops and starts, as well as abrupt changes in rhythm and tempo. The final movement, titled "Lento," returns to the slow, meditative quality of the first. The cello's sound is once again muted, creating a sense of distance and detachment. The movement is marked by long, sustained notes that gradually fade away, creating a sense of finality and closure. Overall, "Elohim" is a deeply introspective and contemplative work. Scelsi's use of sustained notes and muted tones creates a sense of otherworldliness, while the sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo create a sense of tension and release. The piece is a testament to Scelsi's unique approach to composition, which emphasized the exploration of sound and timbre over traditional harmonic structures.

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