• General information
  • Composition date : 1994
    
  • Duration : 15 mn
  • Editor : Boosey & Hawkes

• Type
  • Musique instrumentale d'ensemble [Ensemble instrumental mixte de 5 à 9 instruments]

Creation information

• Date : 11 January 1995
  Location :

  États-Unis, Los Angeles, Modern Art Museum.

  
  

The idea behind Zilver was to write a chorale variation as Bach did for organ: a long, slow-moving melody, combined with the same melody played faster. The ensemble is divided into two groups: the wind and strings play the sustained melody in chorale-like four-part harmony, and the rest of the instruments – vibraphone, marimba and piano – play increasingly fast staccato chords. The two groups play in canons.

Zilver is one of a planned series of chamber pieces named after a type of physical matter. Hout (‘wood’) is the first, and Zilver (‘silver’) is the second. The title also refers to the two silver instruments – flute and vibraphone – which start and end the piece.

Louis Andriessen.