It is considered one of the most important works in the genre[3][4][5] and has been called "one of the treasures of the 20th century quartet repertoire".[6] The piece has been recorded many times by several prominent ensembles.[7]
Before starting to work on the piece, Dutilleux studied the string quartets of Beethoven and Bartók as well as Webern's Six Bagatelles. The composer stated that the latter were a particularly important influence for Ainsi la nuit. He first wrote a series of preliminary studies titled Nuits (Nights),[3][8] some of which were sent to the Juilliard String Quartet in 1974.[9] However, the work in its final form was premiered by the Parrenin Quartet on January 6, 1977.[2] The Juilliards gave the American première of the piece in Washington, D.C., on April 13, 1978.[9]
Musicedit
The piece is based on series of studies which focus on different aspects of sound production: pizzicatos, harmonics, dynamics, contrasts, opposition of register.[1] It is built from a single hexachord that contains the notes C♯ – G♯ – F – G – C – D, thus highlighting the intervals of fifth and major second.[8] This chord constitutes the basis from which the whole string quartet is derived. The octatonic mode is also used extensively throughout the work.[1]
Ainsi la nuit displays progressive growth, a technique frequently used by Dutilleux, through which musical motifs can both recall music that was heard in earlier sections or hint at music that will be fully developed in later movements.[1][9]
There's a tendency—it's almost entirely intuitive—not to present the theme in its definitive state at the beginning. [T]here are small cells which develop bit by bit. ...This may perhaps show the influence of literature, of Proust and his notions about memory.[10]
Other techniques that are typical of Dutilleux can be found in the work such as fan-shaped phrases, a modal quality reminiscent of Gregorian chant as well as the highlighting of tonal triads in an atonal context.[9]
Structureedit
The work is in seven interrelated movements played without a break.
^ abcdKenneth Hesketh (October 2010), "The Backbone of Night: Mechanisms of Evolution in Henri Dutilleux's Ainsi la nuit", Contemporary Music Review, 29 (5): 463–483
^ abc"Ainsi la nuit (1976-1977)" (work details) (in French and English). IRCAM.
ainsi, nuit, thus, night, string, quartet, written, french, composer, henri, dutilleux, between, 1973, 1976, premiered, 1977, parrenin, quartet, string, quartet, henri, dutilleuxcomposed1973, 1973, 76dedication, memory, ernest, sussman, homage, olga, koussevit. Ainsi la nuit Thus the Night is a string quartet written by the French composer Henri Dutilleux between 1973 and 1976 1 It was premiered in 1977 by the Parrenin Quartet 2 Ainsi la nuitString quartet by Henri DutilleuxComposed1973 1973 76Dedication to the memory of Ernest Sussman and in homage to Olga Koussevitzky Performed1977 1977 MovementssevenPremierePerformersParrenin Quartet It is considered one of the most important works in the genre 3 4 5 and has been called one of the treasures of the 20th century quartet repertoire 6 The piece has been recorded many times by several prominent ensembles 7 Contents 1 Overview 2 Music 3 Structure 4 Recordings 5 ReferencesOverview editAinsi la nuit was commissioned by the Koussevitzky Foundation for the Juilliard String Quartet Dutilleux dedicated the composition to the memory of the art lover Dr Samuel Ernest Sussman and as homage to Olga Koussevitzky Wikidata widow of Serge Koussevitzky Before starting to work on the piece Dutilleux studied the string quartets of Beethoven and Bartok as well as Webern s Six Bagatelles The composer stated that the latter were a particularly important influence for Ainsi la nuit He first wrote a series of preliminary studies titled Nuits Nights 3 8 some of which were sent to the Juilliard String Quartet in 1974 9 However the work in its final form was premiered by the Parrenin Quartet on January 6 1977 2 The Juilliards gave the American premiere of the piece in Washington D C on April 13 1978 9 Music editThe piece is based on series of studies which focus on different aspects of sound production pizzicatos harmonics dynamics contrasts opposition of register 1 It is built from a single hexachord that contains the notes C G F G C D thus highlighting the intervals of fifth and major second 8 This chord constitutes the basis from which the whole string quartet is derived The octatonic mode is also used extensively throughout the work 1 Ainsi la nuit displays progressive growth a technique frequently used by Dutilleux through which musical motifs can both recall music that was heard in earlier sections or hint at music that will be fully developed in later movements 1 9 There s a tendency it s almost entirely intuitive not to present the theme in its definitive state at the beginning T here are small cells which develop bit by bit This may perhaps show the influence of literature of Proust and his notions about memory 10 Other techniques that are typical of Dutilleux can be found in the work such as fan shaped phrases a modal quality reminiscent of Gregorian chant as well as the highlighting of tonal triads in an atonal context 9 Structure editThe work is in seven interrelated movements played without a break Nocturne Miroir d espace Litanies Litanies II Constellations Nocturne II Temps suspendu It lasts about 18 minutes 2 Recordings editAinsi la nuit has been played and recorded many times since it was published Some recordings include Via Nova Quartet Erato Records 1982 Sine Nomine Quartet Erato 1991 Ludwig Quartet Timpani 1991 Juilliard String Quartet Sony 1992 Arditti String Quartet Naive 1993 Petersen Quartett Capriccio 1994 Ortys Quartet Mis 1999 Belcea Quartet EMI Classics 2000 Rosamonde Quartet Arion 2005 Orpheus String Quartet Channel Classics 2007 Arcanto Quartet Harmonia Mundi 2010 Quatuor Hermes La Dolce Volta 2018 References edit a b c d Kenneth Hesketh October 2010 The Backbone of Night Mechanisms of Evolution in Henri Dutilleux s Ainsi la nuit Contemporary Music Review 29 5 463 483 a b c Ainsi la nuit 1976 1977 work details in French and English IRCAM a b Roger Nichols May 22 2013 Henri Dutilleux obituary The Guardian Claude Debussy www musicweb international com Retrieved 19 June 2015 Henri Dutilleux Remembered David Hetherington www amiciensemble com Retrieved 19 June 2015 50ish Essential String Quartets for Fun and Profit www rateyourmusic com Archived from the original on 24 November 2014 Retrieved 19 June 2015 Henri Dutilleux www arkivmusic com Retrieved 19 June 2015 a b Marie Delcambe Monpoel La nuit et le temps dans le Quatuor de Dutilleuxpages 91 94 inHenri Dutilleux Entre le cristal et la nuee PDF archived from the original PDF on 2017 06 09 retrieved 2014 11 22 a b c d Chris Boyes Ainsi la nuit for string quartet at AllMusic Roger Nichols 1991 Dutilleux at 75 in The Musical Times 132 1775 701 702 Portal nbsp Classical music Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ainsi la nuit amp oldid 1169166344, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
