Anthology of Fantastic Zoology es una sinfonía orquestal del
compositor estadounidense Mason Bates. El trabajo fue encargado por la Orquesta
Sinfónica de Chicago, para quien Bates era entonces compositor en residencia.
Anthology of Fantastic Zoology commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Riccardo Muti
Premieres: October’s new music
Lucy Thraves Assistant
Editor
It was the magic realism of Argentinian writer Jorge Luis
Borges’s work of the same name that inspired Mason Bates’ Anthology of
Fantastic Zoology. ‘I sought a musical form that would encourage the creation
of highly distinct music with a surreal element,’ he explains. ‘The challenge
of bringing [Borges’] mythological and surreal creatures to life proved
irresistible.’
What kinds of ‘creatures’ does this include, and how are
they reflected in the music? ‘The sprite is a good example of a narrative
provoking new sounds. In conjuring the mischievous movements of a capricious
fairy, I shattered the string section into a large group of soloists – with the
sprite jumping from music stand to music stand. This creates onstage spatial
effects as riffs shoot from the concertmaster to the back of violins.’ He adds:
‘Many composers throw instruments offstage or around the concert hall, but this
is one of the first orchestral works engaging with onstage “choreography” – an
idea provoked by the astonishing vividness of Borges’ compendium.’
Musically, Bates drew inspiration from ‘glistening’ Russian
ballet scores, and specifically the Russian concept of ‘jarkos’ (‘etched’) –
music that is ‘so distinctive and memorable that it seems ‘etched’ in your mind.’
He cites Mussorgsky and Stravinsky as examples. ‘Creating recognisable music
has not always been a focus in recent music history, especially in the
process-based worlds of serialism or minimalism. I like the challenge of
creating memorable material because it opens up so many musical possibilities.’
The UK premiere of the work has been programmed alongside
Beethoven’s Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus, a piece Bates describes as
‘light-hearted’ compared to the ‘dark fantasy’ of the sort that might be found
‘in Tolkien’s Mirkwood or Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth.’
Bates’ work has been described as ‘reinvigorating’ the
classical tradition (he is also a DJ, and a champion of cinematic programme
notes and immersive stagecraft). Where does he see the future of classical
music? ‘The orchestra can tell big stories in deep ways, as it did in the 19th
century with the programmatic approach of Berlioz, Liszt and Wagner. I’ve
enjoyed reviving that tradition with entirely new sounds, some of them from the
energy of techno and digital studios.’
5 OCTOBER
Mason Bates, Anthology of Fantastic Zoology, UK prem (BBC
Symphony Orchestra, Cristian Macelaru, conductor, Barbican Centre, 7.30pm)
Fuente: Rhinegold
Photo credit: Ryan Schude Mason Bates
Fuente video: You Tube
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