DILUVIAL, from "Illuminations: Symph. Fragments After Rimbaud."
Harold Blumenfeld
About this work:
DILUVIAL- Part Two of "ILUMINATIONS FOR ORCH" -(1998) evokes lines from Rimbaud in description of planetary explosion, apocalypse, and in its wake, a halting rebirth of life...
Recorded University of Cincinnati College Conservatory Philharmonia, Gerhard Samuel, conductor on CENTAUR CRC 2277. SOUND BITE, sample SCORE PAGES on site.......
Pub.formerly MMB Music, now closed.
COMPOSER is publisher: blumenf@wustl.edu
Full score $50.
****REVIEW---
"Blumenfeld's considerable instrumental expertise is highlighted in the orchestral 'Iluminations', which are brilliantly conceived and executed." - S D Hicken, American Record Guide...
Gleaned from R's lines "..moment of the cauldron, of swelling seas, underground conflagration of the planet swept away and exterminations following..The Deluge subsided..A hare paused in the brush, uttering his prayer to the rainbow from across a spider's web. There appeared a genie of ineffable beauty..Gush forth, pond..black cloth and organs, lightnings and thunder, - mount and roll; - waters and sorrows, mount, once more unleash the Deluge!". (composer's translations).
Orchestration identical to companion movement, "MEADOWS OF EMERALD", Part One of "Illuminations for Orchestra".
[See this companion movement].
Year composed: 1991
Duration: 00:09:27
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: Piano also plays celeste. Piano on-string effects require amplification. Standard orch with added perc. Same scoring in both "Diluvial" and "Meadows".
Percussion features two snare drummers situated front left and right corners of stage.