ILLUMINATIONS: Symphonic Fragments After Rimbaud
Harold Blumenfeld
About this work:
ILLUMINATIONS - SYMPHONIC FRAGMENTS After RIMBAUD [1988] consists of two individual parts, which may be separately performed---
I. "MEADOWS OF EMERALD AND IRON"
II. "DILUVIAL".........
***for SOUND BITES: See MEADOWS and DILUVIAL on this site. Click on those movement titles for sound samples, sample pages of score, additional notes and info........
recorded: CENTAUR RECORDS CRC 2277:
Univ of Cincinnati CCM Philharmonia, Gerhard Samuel, conductor.......
****REVIEW--
"Blumenfeld's considerable instrumental expertise is highlighted in the orchestral 'Illuminations', which are brilliantly conceived and executed." - S. D. Hicken, American Record Guide.****
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>Former Pub MMB Music, now closed. Published by COMPOSER: blumenf@wustl.edu
Full score (comprising both mov'ts) $90.<<<
Standard orchestra with expanded percussion, including two snare drums placed in forward corners of stage......
Work comprises orchestral reflections on images gleaned from Rimbaud's "Les Illuminations"... PART ONE - "Meadows of Emerald and Iron" - is lyrical and evocative, with moments of upset, reflecting images from Rimbaud's "Illuminations"---
"ON THE SLOPE OF THE EMBANKMENT,
ANGELS SWIRL THEIR WOOLEN ROBES
IN MEADOWS OF EMERALD AND IRON..
FIELDS OF FLAME LEAP UP
TO THE SUMMIT OF THE HILL..
THE FLOWERING SWEETNESS
OF STARS AND SKY DESCEND
DOWNWARD, LIKE A BASKET,
AGAINST OUR FACE..."........
In PART TWO, "Diluvial", planet explodes, disintegrates; haltingly, life struggles back---
"MOMENT OF THE CAULDRON,
OF SWELLING SEAS,
UNDERGROUND CONFLAGRATION
OF THE PLANET SWEPT AWAY
AND THE RESULTING EXTERMINATIONS...
THE DELUGE SUBSIDED.
A HARE PAUSED IN THE BRUSH,
UTTERING HIS PRAYER TO THE RAINBOW
ACROSS A SPIDER'S WEB..."........
Commissioned for Cincinnati Philharmonia Orchestra....Dedicated to Gerhard Samuel.... Composer's translations, copyright 1988.
Year composed: 1991
Duration: 00:20:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 3 Flute, 1 Alto Flute, 2 Oboe, 1 English Horn, 1 Eb Clarinet, 3 Clarinet, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 1 Contrabassoon, 4 Horn in F, 3 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 4 Percussion (General), 1 Piano, 1 Celesta, 1 Strings (General), 1 Harp
Instrumentation notes: Disposition of percussion: LEFT: 2 players, 13 instruments; CENTER: 1 player: 5 timp, chimes, tam, gong; RIGHT:2 players, 11 instruments.
Left and right players situated forward left, right on stage. Center perc center rear - on floor or elevated.
3 flutists alternate between flute, piccolo, alto flute. 3 clarinetists alternate between A cls, Eb cl, bass cl. Eng Hrn and Cbn parts are separate (non-doubling).
Piano amplified, with Celesta in reach (1 player).
Pianist requires 2 soft timpsticks, gum eraser, light brass link chain for effects played on piano strings. Piano strings identified in four areas, as on Steinway B: quadrant I is highest(Q I), quadrant IV (Q IV) constituting low wound strings, is lowest.
For percussion, there are certain quick movements between drums and wooden instruments, requiring use of snare drum sticks on both types of instruments. Drum stick handles occasionally used for special effects on metal instruments.