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Openning Concert

Beyond Ideology : Melody of Peace and Harmony 5/22(Fri) 20:00 LG Arts Center

Two prominent violinists, Aiman Mussakhajayeva and Roy Shiloah, representing Palestine and Israel, present the music of peace and harmony with a musical piece from Bach in concert with Korean chamber Orchestra

Program

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Krzysztof Penderecki / Ciaccona (2005)
J. S. Bach / Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor BWV 1043
Benjamin Britten / Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op.10
* The musical source to provide from naxos.
Date : 2009/5/22 (Fri) 20:00  Venue : LG Arts Center
 
 

Krzysztof Penderecki  / Ciaccona (2005)
 

“Ciaccona(Chaconne)” is the last 4th part of Penderecki’s Polish Requiem.
Chaconne is technically an instrumental variation. It contains repeats of low range notes, which are also considered the bases of the harmonies. Penderecki’s early works reveals the influence of Webern, Boulez, and Stravinsky. It has some sections that are reminiscent of his early works, but it generally uses more splendid harmonies than before.  It also displays his tendency toward conservative romanticism, which is also prevalent in his second cello concerto.


The use of chaconne-like variations, the downward chromatic melodies, and the separation of vocal sections for counterpoints, reveals the influences of Baroque traditions. The strong melodies dominate the mellow cantabile variations. The delicate rhythms, which are unusual in requiems, display dynamic and humorous atmosphere. However, the magnificent finale section, while maintaining moderateness, symbolically uses funeral procession motives that remind us of the victims of the riot, and serves its underlying purpose as a requiem.

 

The Ciaccona of the last part is dedicated to Pope John Paul II. The widely respected pope, who was the first Polish pope, maintained longstanding relationship with Penderecki. The “Ciaccona”, therefore, is of very great significance and is occasionally published separately from the “Polish Requiem”. 
 
 

Johann Sebastian Bach / Concerto for 2 Violins in d minor, BWV 1043 (1731)
 

This work, therefore, is ahead of the forms compared to the other violin concertos. It features elements of the traditional baroque era music. The strings and figured bass accompany the two violins. The virtuoso and magnificent ornaments of solo violins dominate the work. The piece is in traditional “fast-slow-fast” movement forms. However, this work also surpasses other works of Baroque era in its originality. The domination of the melody progression in the second movement displays lyricism and beauty that compares quite well with modern concertos (or even with romantic era concertos).

 

The first movement is quite lively, which is unusual in works in minor keys. The second violin begins the opening theme in a spirited manner. Because of the fact that two violins perform as soloists for this concerto, the orchestra and soloists creates beauty of musical listening through unisons, rather than the beauty of form through contrasts between them.  The movement also uses canonic contrapuntal techniques. The first violin takes over the opening theme introduced by the second violin in five upward steps. The two violins respond to one another with this theme, go back to d minor later, and end the movement powerfully. The second movement, which is of utmost importance within the whole concerto, displays beautiful melodic qualities of the violin instrument. Almost as if two vocalists sing together, the two violins exchange beautiful melodies and finish the movement quietly. The third movement maintains dialogue and tension between the two violins, which are also prevalent in the lively first movement and the lyrical second movement. This last movement contains similar structure to the first movement, but has more magnificent melodies and rhythms and eventually finishes the entire work. 
 
 

Benjamin Britten / Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op.10 (1937)
 

Conductor Boyd Neel commissioned Britten to write a string chamber work for the Salzburg Festival in 1937. This work was “Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op.10”. Here he composed variation on a theme from the second of Three Idylls for string quartet by Bridge, his musical prop and respected mentor. He completed the entire composition in just one month and it was premiered at the Salzburg Festival that year. 

  
The piece consists of the main theme and 10 variations. It begins when four solo string instruments quietly plays the theme. It is followed by 9 variations, each of which has a different tempo and an atmosphere. This makes the work more interesting. It contains a march, where strings express the footsteps of geese. It also has elements of Italian operatic aria in soprano, of Viennese waltzes, and of solemn funeral marches.


The forms and structures are expressive and give a sense of enjoyment. But it is also technically very complex in requiring the musician to express its effects and contrasts.  As the title indicates, the score shows his note “It is dedicated to F.B.A. tribute with affection and admiration”.