w14495
| Title | Bipole : A "Thymography" |
| Contributors |
Derek Ball (composer) |
| Composition date | 2003 2003 / 2005 |
| Duration (mins) | 15 |
| Category | orchestral |
| Instrumentation | 2+12+12+12+1 5331 Tp 2 Perc Hp Str Elec * |
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| Notes | Dedicated to the conductor Gerhard Markson in recognition of the enormous encouragement he has given me. * Background recorded material, on a CD [available from the composer] and Electronic Delay are required. |
| Programme Note | In homage to the life, work and suffering of Robert Schumann, 1810-1856. Robert Schumann, as everyone knows, was the very archetype of the romantic artist. It is less well known that throughout his turbulent life he experienced bipolar affective disorder, or manic-depressive illness. In my humble attempt to pay homage to him I have chosen to mingle both of these themes. Romanticism is represented in the form of a series of nine short subjective loosely-related "Charakterstücke" such as Schumann himself excelled in, while the bipolar affective influence shows itself in the polarised treatment of musical material either in a rapturous, elated way or in an utterly depressive way. By these means I set out to paint the extremes of Schumann's creative and affective life. No middle way in this landscape: the soaring heights of its sunny summits rise straight from the depths of its gloomy gorges. And at the end the path leads inexorably downwards. |
This work is associated with the following collection items:
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