for orchestra (2004/06)
Orchestra:
3(3rd=Picc.) 2 3(3rd=Bcl.) 3(3rd=Cbs.) - 4 3 3 1 - Timp. Perc.(3) Str.
1. Prelude
2. Quodlibet
3. Climax
Duration: 8 mins
Premiere June 1, 2006, Theater National, Brussels
Orchester National de Belgique, conductor: Alexander Briger
CD recording 2008
Flemish Radio Orkest, line : Arturo Tamayo
The genesis of my Three Fragments is somewhat complicated: I composed the first version at the end of 2003, during a study visit to London. Originally there were four fragments, but later I created a three-movement version for musical and technical reasons, which was premiered in June 2006 by the Belgian National Orchestra in Brussels. For the premiere of the four-movement version in October 2006 in Mainz, I made a few minor changes to the piece. The new (now again three-movement) version was recorded on CD in 2008 by the Vlaams Radio Orkest conducted by Arturo Tamayo. I now consider this version to be the final one.
Each of the three short movements follows a specific musical-formal idea. The first, Praeludium, begins with a loud tutti attack and then carries out a composed ritardando and diminuendo, up to isolated solo interjections. The third movement, Climax, behaves in exactly the opposite way, forming a short, purposeful climax.
In contrast to these two linear forms is the second movement, Quodlibet, which is based on the principle of collage. In all possible, sometimes absurdly comical constellations, musical quotations from the most varied of provenances are juxtaposed, mounted on top of each other and transferred into one another.
Anno Schreier