Four Proverbs
American Composers Orchestra
About this work:
Four Proverbs is the first piece of Torke's to find correspondences between pithy Biblical lines packed with meaning and humor, and short, recognizable musical phrases. He develops a one-to-one attachment of musical notes to syllables almost as if permanent, unyielding knots were tied. When the notes start moving around, meaning and syntax get scrambled. The words become a signifier, a flag mounted on the back of each note giving the listener an indication of where those notes are going in the course of musical development.
When the pitches of the melody fall back into their original order, the meaning of the proverb comes back into focus, giving confirmation of the ethical point, the melodic statement, and the marriage of the two.
Originally written in 1993, expanding the string section, and substituting pairs of flutes, bassoons, and horns for what once was a synthesizer part, will give a richer and more natural sound.
Version: Chamber Orchestra, Michael Torke
Year composed: 1993
Duration: 00:16:00
Ensemble type: Voice, Solo or With Chamber or Jazz Ensemble
Instrumentation: 2 Flute, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 2 Horn in F, 1 Piano, 1 Strings (General), 1 Soprano