MEADOWS OF EMERALD AND IRON, from Symphonic Fragments after Rimbaud
Harold Blumenfeld
About this work:
MEADOWS OF EMERALD AND IRON: The placid Part One of "ILLUMINATIONS FOR ORCHESTRA" after Rimbaud. Standard orchestra with added percussion.
An evocation of lines from Rimbaud: "On the slope of the embankment, angels swirl their woolen robes in meadows of emerald and iron..."
Recorded Centaur Records CRC 2277. University of Cincinnati College Conservatory Philharmonia, Gerhard Samuel, conductor.
Former Pub:MMB Music, now closed. Published by COMPOSER: blumenf@wustl.edu
Score $50.
****REVIEW:
"Blumenfeld's considerable instrumental expertise is highlighted in the orchestral 'Illuminations', which are brilliantly conceived and executed." -
S. D. Hicken, American Record Guide.
An orchestral evocation of proto-impressionist images from Rimbaud:
"On the slope of the embankment, angels swirl their woolen robes... fields of flame leap up to the summit of the hill...the flowery sweetness of stars and sky descend downward across from the embankment like a basket, - against our face - and forms the flowering and blue abyss down below..."
Translations by composer.
See also companion-piece, "DILUVIAL", on site.
Year composed: 1988
Duration: 00:09:28
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 1 English Horn, 3 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 1 Contrabassoon, 4 Horn in F, 3 Trumpet, 3 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 4 Percussion (General), 1 Piano, 14 Violin, 6 Viola, 6 Cello, 3 Double bass, 1 Harp
Instrumentation notes: Celeste played by pianist. Piano on-string effects to be amplified. Two perc on left, two on right; tympani ctr.