Sequenza XII
Encyclopedia
Sequenza XII is a composition
for solo bassoon
, written by Luciano Berio
in 1995 (Osmond-Smith 2001), and part of a series of fourteen Sequenze
composed between 1958 and 2002. The work was written for, and dedicated to, the French bassoonist Pascal Gallois, who gave the world première on 15 June 1995.
Sequenza XII is the longest of all the Sequenze, at nineteen minutes. As with the other works in the series, it reflects Berio’s fascination with virtuosity, "understood not merely as technical dexterity, but as a manifestation of an agile musical intelligence that relishes the challenge of complexity" (Osmond-Smith 2001). In Sequenza XII Berio makes deliberate use of the different registers and explores the physical limits of performance through extended technique
s, for example, through different uses of the tongue to modify airflow, by writing notes and phrases that are so long they require the performer to use circular breathing
, the use of glissando, and multiple sounds producing by singing through the instrument while playing (Osmond-Smith 2001; Pedone 1997).
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
for solo bassoon
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
, written by Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio
Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian composer. He is noted for his experimental work and also for his pioneering work in electronic music.-Biography:Berio was born at Oneglia Luciano Berio, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI (October 24, 1925 – May 27, 2003) was an Italian...
in 1995 (Osmond-Smith 2001), and part of a series of fourteen Sequenze
Sequenza
Sequenza is the name borne by fourteen compositions for solo instruments or voice by Luciano Berio. The word "sequenza" means "sequence" in Italian. The pieces, which often call for extended techniques, are:*Sequenza I Sequenza is the name borne by fourteen compositions for solo instruments or...
composed between 1958 and 2002. The work was written for, and dedicated to, the French bassoonist Pascal Gallois, who gave the world première on 15 June 1995.
Sequenza XII is the longest of all the Sequenze, at nineteen minutes. As with the other works in the series, it reflects Berio’s fascination with virtuosity, "understood not merely as technical dexterity, but as a manifestation of an agile musical intelligence that relishes the challenge of complexity" (Osmond-Smith 2001). In Sequenza XII Berio makes deliberate use of the different registers and explores the physical limits of performance through extended technique
Extended technique
Extended techniques are performance techniques used in music to describe unconventional, unorthodox, or non-traditional techniques of singing, or of playing musical instruments to obtain unusual sounds or instrumental timbres....
s, for example, through different uses of the tongue to modify airflow, by writing notes and phrases that are so long they require the performer to use circular breathing
Circular breathing
Circular breathing is a technique used by players of some wind instruments to produce a continuous tone without interruption. This is accomplished by breathing in through the nose while simultaneously pushing air out through the mouth using air stored in the cheeks.It is used extensively in playing...
, the use of glissando, and multiple sounds producing by singing through the instrument while playing (Osmond-Smith 2001; Pedone 1997).
Discography
- Luciano Berio. Sequenzas [I–XIII]. Ensemble InterContemporain members (Pascal Gallois, bassoon). Deutsche Grammophon 457 038 (3CDs), 1998.
- Luciano Berio. Sequenzas I–XIV. Various performers (Kenneth Munday, bassoon). Naxos 8557661 (3CDs), 2006.
- Luciano Berio. The Complete Sequenzas. Various performers (Noriko Shimada, bassoon). Mode 161/3 (4CDs), 2006.
- Pascal Gallois (bassoon). Voyages: music by Berio, Hosokawa, Schoeller. Stradivarius 33736 (1CD), 2006.
- Duo Palmós. (Stefanie Liedtke, bassoon and Lorenda Ramou, piano) "Breathless": music by Skalkottas, Berio, Yun and Kyriakides. Spektral SRL4-08035 (1CD), 2008.