Wolfgang Rihm
Chiffre III
Short instrumentation: 0 1 1 1 - 1 0 1 0 - perc(2), pno, bass tpt, vc(2), cb
Duration: 10'
Dedication: Komponiert für das „ensemble 13“ (Manfred Reichert)
Instrumentation details:
cor anglais
bass clarinet in Bb
bassoon (+cbsn)
horn in F
bass trumpet
trombone
percussion(2)
piano
1st violoncello
2nd violoncello
contrabass
Rihm - Chiffre III for 12 players
Sample pages
Audio preview
Work introduction
As in the first two Chiffres, the piano has a solo role in Chiffre
III. It enters with a striking theme immediately after an introduction
featuring tom-toms. A bass clarinet and a bassoon accompany the theme,
suggesting a quotation; two bars follow with rhythm reminiscent of Stravinsky.
The theme and its fragments will return several times (in the cor anglais, for
instance) like a type of signal (= chiffre).
There are other signal-like motifs, appearing as a kind of commentary on the
dramatic events in the piece. A bell and a police whistle also provide signals,
while the piano transforms into a “piano furioso”, as in the previous Chiffres, raging isterico and martellatissimo
in a strange, secretive musical world.
Translation: Grant
Chorley