PWM

Advanced search

BMO Main Page  >   Orchestral   >   String orchestra

Works by categories

Place a hire order

Preludes and Fugue
for 13 Strings

  • Duration: 34'
  • Instrumentation: 0000-0000-archi (7.0.3.2.1)
  • Year: 1972
  • Language of edition: eng, pol
  • Order: Mario di Bonaventura
  • Type: parts, score

''Preludes and a Fugue'' for 13 Solo Strings, an unusually difficult, complex and not-easy in reception composition, takes a special place in Lutosławski's creativity. It sets uncommon tasks to the conductor. A series of preludes (7) precedes one fugue. A form of variation used to exist in the past, that was crowned by a fugue, but these sort of variations were, in principle, a cycle of works contrasted among one another. In Lutosławski's case, the preludes are tied by an idiosyncratic 'chain' which makes them one whole, especially that they are not as contrasted as diverse. The polyphony of the fugue is far from the stereotype: effaced, not always clear, as if it was secretive. To sum up, it is a composition formally patterned on Bach, however, in the music course and auditory reception - independently from the contemporary language - far away from the classical patterns. In the commentary to the score the composer wrote: ''This opus can be performed as a whole or various shortened versions. You can play any number of Preludes in any order, including a shortened version of the Fugue or without it.'' Knowing the vast precision of the composer's creative intentions, the tolerance he allowed here, may be surprising. A conscious and unique creative problem is visible here: an expansion of the aleatoricism on form. [Jan Krenz]

Score for sale

Other composer's works

Lutosławski Witold

Concerto for Orchestra

Lutosławski Witold

Four Signals

1. Rzeszów Motif, 2. Łowicz Motif, 3. Mazowian Motif, 4. Original Motif

Lutosławski Witold

Fanfare for the University of Lancaster

for brass ensemble and side drum

Lutosławski Witold

Chantefleurs et chantefables

Song Cycle for Soprano and Orchestra

Lutosławski Witold

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra

Lutosławski Witold

Fanfare for CUBE (Cambridge University Brass Ensemble))

for brass quintet

Lutosławski Witold

Fanfare for Louisville

for wind instruments and percussion

Lutosławski Witold

Prelude for Guildhall School of Music and Drama

for orchestra

Lutosławski Witold

Fanfare for Los Angeles Philharmonic

for brass instruments and percussion

Lutosławski Witold

Livre pour orchestre

for Symphony Orchestra

Lutosławski Witold

Chain 3

for Orchestra

Lutosławski Witold

Variations on a Theme of Paganini

for Piano and Orchestra
Copyright © 2013 PWM