Xenakis, Iannis: Oresteia (1965-66,rev.69,87,89) 50'
for baritone, mixed chorus and chamber ensemble
Music Text
Text by Aeschylus (Gr)
Scoring
Solo Bar; mixed chorus (18 men and 18 women, or multiples thereof) doubling perc: wood simantras/metal simantras/whips/sirens/ metal sheets/maracas; children's chorus 1(=picc).1.0.Ebcl.dbcl.0.dbn-1.1(=picc.tpt).1.1-perc(2):2timp/ 2bongos/SD/very large BD/2wdbl/2lion's roar/2gongs(large and small)/ 2tamb (without jingles)/whip/4tom-t/2nylon brushes (long bristles)/ 2maracas/large thunder-sheet/glock-vlc(amplified if necessary) Orchestra (except percussionists) doubling perc:tgls/tambs (of varying pitch, without jingles)/sirens/glass chimes/whips/metal sheets/ lion's roars/rattles Audience plays metal simantras
Performances of Oresteia should include Kassandra (1987) for baritone, psalterium and solo percussion (15 minutes), and La Déesse Athena (1992) for baritone and twelve instruments (9 minutes). Both additional scores are available from Editions Salabert..
Abbreviations (PDF).
Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.
For full details on this stagework, including synopsis and roles, please visit our Opera section.
World stage premiere
8/21/1987
Gibellina, Sicily
Iannis Kokkos and Rene Loyon, director / Spiros Sakkas (Cassandra); Sylvia Gualda, perc; Ensemble Instrumental de Basse-Normandie; 280choris / Michel Tabachnik and Dominique Debart
Press Quotes
“…sharp-edged, otherworldly. …“Oresteia” works powerfully on its own terms.
The New York Times
“arresting…Xenakis never wrote a score…that didn't instantly grab the ear and deliver a satisfying musical experience. …the elemental impact of the piece is undeniable……wholly mesmerizing.”
MusicalAmerica.com
“…remarkable music…
The New York Sun
Recommended Recording
Spiros Sakkas, Sylvio Gualda, Choeur de Département musical de l'Université de Strasbourg, Maïtrise de Colmar, Ensemble Vocal d'Anjou, Ensemble de Basse-Normandie, Dominique Debart
Montaigne 782151
News stories for this title :
Iannis Xenakis: Oresteia definitive edition reviews
for baritone, mixed chorus and chamber ensemble
Music Text
Text by Aeschylus (Gr)
Scoring
Solo Bar; mixed chorus (18 men and 18 women, or multiples thereof) doubling perc: wood simantras/metal simantras/whips/sirens/ metal sheets/maracas; children's chorus 1(=picc).1.0.Ebcl.dbcl.0.dbn-1.1(=picc.tpt).1.1-perc(2):2timp/ 2bongos/SD/very large BD/2wdbl/2lion's roar/2gongs(large and small)/ 2tamb (without jingles)/whip/4tom-t/2nylon brushes (long bristles)/ 2maracas/large thunder-sheet/glock-vlc(amplified if necessary) Orchestra (except percussionists) doubling perc:tgls/tambs (of varying pitch, without jingles)/sirens/glass chimes/whips/metal sheets/ lion's roars/rattles Audience plays metal simantras
Performances of Oresteia should include Kassandra (1987) for baritone, psalterium and solo percussion (15 minutes), and La Déesse Athena (1992) for baritone and twelve instruments (9 minutes). Both additional scores are available from Editions Salabert..
Abbreviations (PDF).
Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.
For full details on this stagework, including synopsis and roles, please visit our Opera section.
World stage premiere
8/21/1987
Gibellina, Sicily
Iannis Kokkos and Rene Loyon, director / Spiros Sakkas (Cassandra); Sylvia Gualda, perc; Ensemble Instrumental de Basse-Normandie; 280choris / Michel Tabachnik and Dominique Debart
Press Quotes
“…sharp-edged, otherworldly. …“Oresteia” works powerfully on its own terms.
The New York Times
“arresting…Xenakis never wrote a score…that didn't instantly grab the ear and deliver a satisfying musical experience. …the elemental impact of the piece is undeniable……wholly mesmerizing.”
MusicalAmerica.com
“…remarkable music…
The New York Sun
Recommended Recording
Spiros Sakkas, Sylvio Gualda, Choeur de Département musical de l'Université de Strasbourg, Maïtrise de Colmar, Ensemble Vocal d'Anjou, Ensemble de Basse-Normandie, Dominique Debart
Montaigne 782151
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News stories for this title :
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