Theodor Berger
Malinconia 2
(1979)
for 48 strings
Duration: 18'
Instrumentation details:
vln(22), vla(10), vc(10), cb(6)
Berger - Malinconia 2 for 48 strings
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Work introduction
Malinconia is one of the most beautiful works
in the string orchestra literature. Distantly related to the Adagietto
of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, it has an endless, emotionally charged melody,
unceasing (except for short interruptions) from the outset to the conclusion. Unlike
the Mahler, it features a solo violin, sometimes painting arabesques against
the ensemble’s dark background, then hovering above like a ray of light until
an abrupt flash cuts off the sound. Then the melody continues, initially
without the solo violin – but it returns to illuminate the dark sound, again
like a ray of light, toward the end. A version for 48 strings
appeared in 1949.