When this serialist torture-machine contrasting its three motifs finally abates, a moment of inspiration is required — and the next two chords are unforgettable. (Remember I didn’t say they were NICE.) Extremes abound everywhere: in pitch range, dynamic range, stasis, motion. It remains real music, whether or not you can put up with it.
Notes from Ludwig Sears 2: The initial 3 repeated figures, indeed this whole movement, purposely toy with threshholds of both perception and tolerance: An extremely loud, extremely clangorous, extremely high-pitched chord, held longer and repeated more often than you can possibly stand, is interrupted by a slightly different chord played as short as possible in a large reverberant space.
Notes from Ludwig Sears 1: The subtitle "Hands in the Abyss" is a quote from another Biblical prophet’s mad hallucinations. Together with OM’s comment that this music recollects a moment of intense vertigo at the edge of a high mountain precipice, this may indicate a recurring “De Profundis Clamati” motif throughout the Organ Book. (The association with Bach’s “Orgelbüchlein” possibly smacks of self-mortifying irony.)
When this serialist torture-machine contrasting its three motifs finally abates, a moment of inspiration is required — and the next two chords are unforgettable. (Remember I didn’t say they were NICE.) Extremes abound everywhere: in pitch range, dynamic range, stasis, motion. It remains real music, whether or not you can put up with it.
WattDeFalk 7 months ago
Notes from Ludwig Sears 2: The initial 3 repeated figures, indeed this whole movement, purposely toy with threshholds of both perception and tolerance: An extremely loud, extremely clangorous, extremely high-pitched chord, held longer and repeated more often than you can possibly stand, is interrupted by a slightly different chord played as short as possible in a large reverberant space.
WattDeFalk 7 months ago
Notes from Ludwig Sears 1: The subtitle "Hands in the Abyss" is a quote from another Biblical prophet’s mad hallucinations. Together with OM’s comment that this music recollects a moment of intense vertigo at the edge of a high mountain precipice, this may indicate a recurring “De Profundis Clamati” motif throughout the Organ Book. (The association with Bach’s “Orgelbüchlein” possibly smacks of self-mortifying irony.)
WattDeFalk 7 months ago
yes. Must be played in sunday churches :-)
WatchBlueSkies 1 year ago