Sonata Profana

Triple orchestra and Balinese gangsa with 3 simultaneous conductors (orchestra A is a mainly western Wind and percussion ensemble of 42 players, orchestra B is a mainly Chinese ensemble of 43 players, orchestra C is a mainly western Wind and percussion ensemble of 35 players) Instrumentation The point of combining three orchestras simultaneously on stage is to achieve a balanced, spatialized and complex polyrhythmic texture. The part of every musician remains very simple thanks to the superimposed tempi led by three conductors. The number of required musicians has deliberately been kept low, in order to remain realistic in terms of available performing space and to encourage individual response from the wind players. Instrumentation of Orchestra A 2 piccolo flutes, 4 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 piccolo clarinets, 6 clarinets, 1 bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 1 soprano, 1 alto, 1 tenor and 1 baritone saxophone, 4 horns, 1 piccolo trumpet, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 1 bass trombone, 2 euphoniums, 1 tuba, 2 percussionist (playing chimes, suspended cymbal, 2 crash cymbals, timpani, wood block), 4 percussionists (playing Balinese gamelan gong kebyar) Instrumentation of Orchestra B 1 player for bangdi, xindi and xiao, 1 suona, 1 soprano, 1 alto and 1 bass sheng, 2 yang qin, 2 liu qin, 3 pipa, 1 gu zheng, 4 zhong ruan, 1 (Western) guitar, percussionists (playing tam and a set of yun luo), 4 gaohu, 8 erhu, 4 zhonghu, 4 ta gehu (may be replaced by 4 Western celli) 3 di gehu (may be replaced by 3 Western double basses). Instrumentation of Orchestra C 1 piccolo flute, 2 flutes, 1 oboe, 1 piccolo clarinet, 6 clarinets, 1 bass clarinet, 1 bassoon, 1 soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, 3 horns, 3 trumpets, 2 trombone, 1 bass trombone, 2 euphoniums, 1 tuba, 1 percussionist (playing chimes, suspended cymbal, woodblock, timpani), 4 percussionists (playing Balinese gamelan gong kebyar). The suspended cymbal and woodblock of Orchestra A should be higher pitched than the similar instruments played by Orchestra C

Programme notes

Dreams create extraordinary juxtapositions and amalgamations. In the first movement, titled Triphony, each orchestra recounts a tale: one by Ravel, one by Debussy, and one by Bartók. The ensuing musical discourse ebbs and flows, mimicking oneiric cycles. Ultimately, Triphony gently implodes through evaporation. The second movement, The Five Beginnings, draws its title from the final verse of Renovation, a poem by Singaporean poet Edwin Thumboo. This vast piece for triple orchestra and Balinese gangsa, requiring three simultaneous conductors, was commissioned by the Centre for the Arts (National University of Singapore). Its premiere performance took place in 2002 in the University Cultural Centre Hal

Edwin Thumboo is prominent Singaporean poet and one of the pioneers of English literature in Singapore. He is best known for writing on national issues, with his poetry often containing nationalistic themes. He was a full professor and Head of the Department of English Language and Literature, and also served as Director of the NUS Centre for the Arts where Casteels worked as Music Director.

Completion of the composition 5-VI-2002

Analysis

see Sonata Profana opus 42: synoptic table (2002) under Articles

see also full score of Triphony

Recording

Link #1 is the 1st movement Triphony and link #2 is the 2nd movement The Five Beginnings

See black cover logbook #2