Vivier, Claude: Orion (1979) 14'
for orchestra

Scoring
3(III=picc).2.corA.2.Ebcl.3-4.2.2.1-perc(3):t.bells/vib/mar/crot/BD; 4rin gong/nipple gong/4nipple gongs(sm)/3tam-t(lo,med,hi)/Chin.gong/2metal plates/wdbl; t.bells/vib/marimba/crot/BD-harp-strings
One of the percussionists has to sing into the tam-tam..
Abbreviations (PDF).

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

World Premiere
10/14/1980
Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Montréal, QC
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal / Charles Dutoit


Composer's Notes      Deutsch    Français
A melody on the trumpet, again the trumpet, as in Kopernikus, instrument of death in the Middle Ages (see the film by Bergman and read l’Office des morts).

Orion consists of six sections: statement of the melody, first development of the melody laid upon itself, second development of the melody laid upon itself, meditation on the melody, remembrance of the melody, and finally the melody in two intervals.

Eternal homecoming, as in History with a capital H, which always waits impatiently for the return of its redemptive saints and its dictators. I have the impression that I’m sitting still on an airplane; I remain in the same place and yet I go from Cairo to Kuala Lumpur.

Go and find out for yourself!

— Claude Vivier

Reproduction Rights:
This program note may be reproduced free of charge in concert programs with a credit to the composer.

Recommended Recording
WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln / Christian Dierstein
Kairos 0012472KAI

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