Wolfgang Rihm
Dunkles Spiel
Short instrumentation: 0 0 1 1 - 2 0 2 0 - perc(4), hp, pno, vla(2), vc(4), cb(2)
Duration: 15'
Dedication: Paul Sacher gewidmet
Instrumentation details:
bass clarinet
contrabassoon
horn(2)
trombone(2)
percussion(4) (+1
2thbon
1
2thcongas
3
4thdr
3
4thbon)
harp
piano
viola(2)
violoncello(4)
contrabass(2)
Rihm - Dunkles Spiel for small orchestra
Sample pages
Audio preview
Work introduction
This work, dedicated to Paul Sacher, was commissioned
by that conductor, who gave the premiere performance in 1990. Dunkles Spiel is not virtuosic
percussion concerto; but although the four soloists are positioned separately
(at the four corners of the orchestra or away from the ensemble), the harp and
the piano often have their equally important parts to play – their colours,
along with the bass clarinet, give the sound the dark timbre the title
suggests.
The first part is slow, the percussion used sparingly;
as the piece progresses, the sound becomes denser, the percussionists playing
rhythmic patterns almost suggestive of Africa, until ultimately the music
becomes more transparent, slower and quieter.
Translation: Grant
Chorley