Wolfgang Rihm
Blick auf Kolchis
Short instrumentation: cb.fl, c.a, bass cl, perc, hp, pno, vln, vla, vc, cb
Duration: 11'
Dedication: Gottfried Boehm zum 60. Geburtstag
Instrumentation details:
contrabass flute in C
cor anglais
bass clarinet in Bb
percussion
harp
piano
violin
viola
violoncello
contrabass
Rihm - Blick auf Kolchis for ensemble
Sample pages
Audio preview
Work introduction
The title refers to Kolchis (1991) for five players which, after various phases and
versions, led to Blick auf Kolchis
for 10 instruments in 2002. The piece begins with a duet for violin and
contrabass flute, a sound reminiscent of a portative organ. Although this
unusual coupling has no soloist function, it is prominent throughout the entire
piece, particularly since the ensemble keeps falling silent to let the duo’s
sound emerge. The music is at once meditative and exciting, thanks
to the slow tempo, the long, sustained pitches and the crack of the wood block
(“extremely hard,” as the composer instructs).
Translation: Grant
Chorley