Aquilo
Arlene Sierra
About this work: 'Aquilo' is a classical name for the Northeast wind as designated by the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius in his Ten Books on Architecture. Vitruvius writes of the theory of winds beginning from heat and moisture, stating this is proven by experiments with aeoliphiles: bronze spheres filled with water through a tiny opening. When the aeoliphile was heated, a rush of steam would escape, convincing the ancients that winds had similar origins. Vitruvius elaborates upon the theory with his idea that there are eight winds which flow over the expanse of a disc-shaped earth.
The work begins as an aural aeoliphile, with musical representations of fire and water mixing to create a rush of air. This rush of air is the wind Aquilo, heard as a melody which develops within a large aural space. It is later joined by three others and the four gather momentum until there is a powerful “directional shift”, introducing four new melodic lines all accumulating energy and complexity as they move in space. After the eight melodic “winds” make their individuality “felt”, the original melody returns. Aquilo travels until the environment breaks it down to elemental components, returning to the original spark of its creation.
This work was performed by American Composers Orchestra in an initial version and was included on NewMusicJukebox through a partnership between AMC and ACO. It went on to win the 2001 Takemitsu Prize and has since been performed and broadcast internationally by the Tokyo Philharmonic and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Year composed: 2001
Duration: 00:10:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 3 Flute, 3 Oboe, 3 Clarinet, 3 Bassoon, 4 Horn in F, 3 Trumpet, 3 Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 3 Percussion (General), 1 Piano, 1 Celesta, 1 Strings (General), 1 Harp
Instrumentation notes: Doublings: Picc, Alto Fl, Eb Cl, Bs Cl, Contrabsn, Pno=Cel