Staud: New work for orchestra

Munich

In Sept 2008 conductor Mariss Jansons and the Munich Radio Symphony Orchestra began a new series which confronts Beethoven’s symphonies with newly composed works. In the past two years a number of new commissions from renowned composers have come to fruition – works that took Beethoven as a starting point but without being strictly bound to formal precedents.

On 9 Feb this year the series continues with Johannes Maria Staud’s new work Maniai (ancient Greek goddesses of revenge), which is performed in a concert together with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1.

Regarding the title, Staud writes:

“I was looking for a title to match the character of my composition. It was already certain that it would last about 10 minutes. I had already written several works for orchestra, but I’d never held the tempo pedal down for so long – almost seven minutes, about 2/3 of the piece. The music never allows you any calm – it pursues you relentlessly, like the Erinnyes.” 

Johannes Maria Staud: Maniai
for orchestra
World première: 9/02/2012, Munich
2nd performance on 10/02/2012 broadcast live on Radio BR-KLASSIK
RSO Munich, c. Mariss Jansons