This article is about the 1980 orchestral composition. For the former European exonym of Japan, see Names of Japan.
Zipangu is a 1980 work for string orchestra by Canadian composer Claude Vivier.[1] Inspired by traditional kabuki theatre, it is considered by many to be the composer's most aggressive and "unforgiving" piece, as it features a plethora of extended techniques for strings (i.e. snap pizzicato and bow overpressure) and denser harmonic content atop a complex melody, similar to the string compositions of Krzysztof Penderecki.[2][3] A typical performance lasts around sixteen minutes.[4]
Vivier was heavily influenced by the kabuki theatres of Japan (pictured) following his 1976 visit to the country.
Vivier visitied kabuki theatres in the Tokyo area during a 1976 voyage to Japan, and was struck by the ritual-like nature of both the music and physical performance.[5][6]Zipangu was later written in 1980 as a Japanese-infused work for string orchestra, with elements of South Indian Carnatic music (dronal imitation of the tanbur, rhythmic tala, further raga manipulation and chalanata, etc.)[7][8] — the name of the piece is taken from a former and antiquated exonym for Japan, roughly translated to mean "the land of sunrise".[9][10]
The piece was completed in Vivier's Montreal apartment on 13 August 1980, and premiered on 4 April 1981, as part of the "New Music Concerts" program at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada.[11] The conductor, Robert Aitken, was a friend of Vivier's and had his endorsement to conduct the premiere.[12]
Compositionedit
Analysisedit
The piece begins with a senza vib.drone on the note E in the bass, cellos, violas, and seventh violin. The harmonics and timbral content of the drone gradually changes as Vivier calls for bow positions and pressure to slowly and repetitively move in a cycle.[13] The composition's metre is entirely built around divisions of the quarter note; it has several measures in 1 4 time, as well as 2 4, 3 4, 4 4, 5 4, and so on.[14]
Program notesedit
The notes given by Vivier in the finished manuscript, with English translation:
« Zipangu » était le nom donné au Japon à l'époque de Marco Polo. Autour d'une mélodie, j'explore dans cette oeuvre différents aspects de la « couleur ». J'ai tenté de « brouiller » mes structures harmoniques par l'emploi de différentes techniques d’archet. Ainsi s'opposent un bruit coloré obtenu par pression exagérée de l'archet sur les cordes et les harmoniques pures losqu'on revient à la technique normale. Une mélodie devient couleur (accords), s'allège et revient peu à peu comme purifiée et solitaire.[12]
"Zipangu" was the name given to Japan at the time of Marco Polo. Within the frame of a single melody I explore in this work different aspects of colour. I tried to "blur" my harmonic structure through different bowing techniques. A colourful sound is obtained by applying exaggerated bow pressure on the strings as opposed to pure harmonics when returning to normal technique. A melody becomes a colour (chords), grows lighter and slowly returns as though purified and solitary.[12]
These program notes are the first recorded example of Vivier's later fascination with Marco Polo.[13] Before his death, he had begun working on an opéra fleuve (lit. "river opera") portraying the explorers life, entitled Rêves d'un Marco Polo — only the prelude has survived, and it remains one of his most performed compositions.[15]
Instrumentationedit
The work is written for a miniaturized string orchestra, with thirteen performers.[12]
^Swed, Mark (2013). "Dudamel conducts Stravinsky's 'Firebird' to opulent heights" The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
^Bridle, Marc (2022). "Zipangu and Lonely Child: Two Claude Vivier masterpieces in magnificent performances by the London Sinfonietta" Opera Today. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
Braes, Ross (2003). An Investigation of the Jeux De Timbres in Claude Vivier's Orion and His Other Instrumental Works of 1979-80. University of British Columbia Press.
Gilmore, Bob (2014). Claude Vivier: A Composer's Life. University of Rochester Press. ISBN978-1-58046-841-1.
Lankenau, Steven; Chan, Trudy; Gewirtz, Eric (2012). Vivier Works: Claude Vivier(PDF). Boosey and Hawkes.
Rogers, Stephen (2008). "Travelogue pour un Marco Polo (My Travels with Claude?): A journey through the composer's life and work in 10 days". Circuit. 18 (3). Les Presses de l'Université de Montréal: 27–51. doi:10.7202/019138ar.
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This article is about the 1980 orchestral composition For the former European exonym of Japan see Names of Japan Zipangu is a 1980 work for string orchestra by Canadian composer Claude Vivier 1 Inspired by traditional kabuki theatre it is considered by many to be the composer s most aggressive and unforgiving piece as it features a plethora of extended techniques for strings i e snap pizzicato and bow overpressure and denser harmonic content atop a complex melody similar to the string compositions of Krzysztof Penderecki 2 3 A typical performance lasts around sixteen minutes 4 Vivier was heavily influenced by the kabuki theatres of Japan pictured following his 1976 visit to the country Contents 1 History 2 Composition 2 1 Analysis 2 2 Program notes 3 Instrumentation 4 See also 5 References 5 1 Citations 5 2 Sources 6 External linksHistory editVivier visitied kabuki theatres in the Tokyo area during a 1976 voyage to Japan and was struck by the ritual like nature of both the music and physical performance 5 6 Zipangu was later written in 1980 as a Japanese infused work for string orchestra with elements of South Indian Carnatic music dronal imitation of the tanbur rhythmic tala further raga manipulation and chalanata etc 7 8 the name of the piece is taken from a former and antiquated exonym for Japan roughly translated to mean the land of sunrise 9 10 The piece was completed in Vivier s Montreal apartment on 13 August 1980 and premiered on 4 April 1981 as part of the New Music Concerts program at the University of Toronto in Ontario Canada 11 The conductor Robert Aitken was a friend of Vivier s and had his endorsement to conduct the premiere 12 Composition editAnalysis edit The piece begins with a senza vib drone on the note E in the bass cellos violas and seventh violin The harmonics and timbral content of the drone gradually changes as Vivier calls for bow positions and pressure to slowly and repetitively move in a cycle 13 The composition s metre is entirely built around divisions of the quarter note it has several measures in 14 time as well as 24 34 44 54 and so on 14 Program notes edit The notes given by Vivier in the finished manuscript with English translation Zipangu etait le nom donne au Japon a l epoque de Marco Polo Autour d une melodie j explore dans cette oeuvre differents aspects de la couleur J ai tente de brouiller mes structures harmoniques par l emploi de differentes techniques d archet Ainsi s opposent un bruit colore obtenu par pression exageree de l archet sur les cordes et les harmoniques pures losqu on revient a la technique normale Une melodie devient couleur accords s allege et revient peu a peu comme purifiee et solitaire 12 Zipangu was the name given to Japan at the time of Marco Polo Within the frame of a single melody I explore in this work different aspects of colour I tried to blur my harmonic structure through different bowing techniques A colourful sound is obtained by applying exaggerated bow pressure on the strings as opposed to pure harmonics when returning to normal technique A melody becomes a colour chords grows lighter and slowly returns as though purified and solitary 12 These program notes are the first recorded example of Vivier s later fascination with Marco Polo 13 Before his death he had begun working on an opera fleuve lit river opera portraying the explorers life entitled Reves d un Marco Polo only the prelude has survived and it remains one of his most performed compositions 15 Instrumentation editThe work is written for a miniaturized string orchestra with thirteen performers 12 Strings 7 Violins 3 Violas 2 Cellos 1 BassSee also editBowed string instrument extended techniqueReferences editCitations edit Lankenau et al 2012 p 50 Swed Mark 2013 Dudamel conducts Stravinsky s Firebird to opulent heights The Los Angeles Times Retrieved 20 July 2022 Bridle Marc 2022 Zipangu and Lonely Child Two Claude Vivier masterpieces in magnificent performances by the London Sinfonietta Opera Today Retrieved 6 July 2022 Henken John Zipangu Claude Vivier Los Angeles Philharmonic Retrieved 5 August 2022 Rogers 2008 p 38 Braes 2003 p 12 Braes 2003 p 39 Bratby Richard 2022 Claude Vivier ought to be a modern classic Why isn t he The Spectator Retrieved 6 July 2022 Braes 2003 p 5 Gilmore 2014 p 217 Gilmore 2014 p 293 a b c d Lankenau et al 2012 p 21 a b Gilmore 2014 p 294 Claude Vivier Zipangu on Boosey and Hawkes Retrieved 27 July 2022 Lankenau et al 2012 p 48 Sources edit Braes Ross 2003 An Investigation of the Jeux De Timbres in Claude Vivier s Orion and His Other Instrumental Works of 1979 80 University of British Columbia Press Gilmore Bob 2014 Claude Vivier A Composer s Life University of Rochester Press ISBN 978 1 58046 841 1 Lankenau Steven Chan Trudy Gewirtz Eric 2012 Vivier Works Claude Vivier PDF Boosey and Hawkes Rogers Stephen 2008 Travelogue pour un Marco Polo My Travels with Claude A journey through the composer s life and work in 10 days Circuit 18 3 Les Presses de l Universite de Montreal 27 51 doi 10 7202 019138ar External links editZipangu 1980 animated score on YouTube Portals nbsp Classical music nbsp Music nbsp Japan Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Zipangu Vivier amp oldid 1136128886, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
