2(II=picc).2.2(II=bcl).2(II=dbn)-4.2.2.1-perc(4):I=glsp/4timp/3plate bells/2bongo/2conga/vibraslap; II=marimba/t.bells/2plate bell/5wdbl/SD/claves/guiro/maracas/cast/ratchet/vibraslap; III=vib/crot/2harmonica/4cow bells/5tom-t/5tpl.bl/SD/maracas/sand paper; IV=xyl/2harmonica/2timbales/BD/tam-t/glass wind chimes/whip/pasteboard rattle-harp-hpd(ampl)-strings(12.10.8.6.4)
Abbreviations (PDF)
B&B
Phaenomena in its original version for sheng and orchestra was inspired by the soloist Wu Wei and his exceptional skills on this Chinese mouth-blown free reed instrument. The title refers to the inspiration found by the composer in the incredible history of this 3,000 year old mouth-blown free reed instrument, itself a ghostly sounding ‘phenomenon’ from a distant world. This atmosphere is reflected into a concerto with colourful interaction between soloist and orchestra, but without direct references to Chinese music. The sound and dynamic palette ranges from soft, whispering dream-like sequences, to penetrating and driving sections displaying the virtuosity typical of Deutsch’s music. The accordion version of this work transfers the echo of a distant world into a modern Western instrument, thus bridging both hemispheres and ages.
Kerstin Schüssler-Bach, 2019