Apsheron Quintet
(Apsheron Quintett) (2001)Sikorski
Commissioned by Alta Tingle and Gregory G. Minshall for the Kronos Quartet
The first violin will be electronically amplified and the piano prepared.
I Tactile Time (fast, but not too fast)
Energetic pulsing of time during which all colours shine especially brightly: the red sun, the blue Caspian See (Khazar) in Azerbaijani, the yellow sand. The wind carries the acrid smell of a wave from the sea to the shore, in which one can discern oil as well as salt. Dark purple grapes tremble in the wind, ponceau pomegranates scintillate in their glow, the amber-coloured fig is filled with juicy sweetness.
II Reverse Time (slowly)
Time that goes backwards. Sad earth in the evening, calm over the sea, the Khazar conceals itself, flashing silver. A cricket’s chirping is heard in the distance. The flaming red sunset is spilled upon the dark blue horizon.
The musical intonations are based on various modes of the Mugam.
Franghiz Ali-Zadeh November 2000