The Capsizing Man and other stories - for string orchestra

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BIG
Lim

Additional Information

I wrote this piece in 1994 after seeing works by the Swiss sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti. I chose five sculptures and looked for a central musical idea in each one that would form the basis of a movement.

The five movements are not just separate and distinct pieces; to me they are also five different aspects of life itself. From the tragic nature of 'The Capsizing Man' and the more cinematographic, haunted character of 'The Forest' to 'The Chariot', full of dark energy and motion and the almost humorous, episodic quality of 'The Cat'. The 4th movement, 'Seated Woman', was composed last of all, and is subtitled Interlude – four movements felt unbalanced to me and this ephemeral piece, a little homage to Feldman, was the vital missing ingredient.

The movements are 'The Capsizing Man', 'The Forest', 'The Chariot', 'Seated Woman' and 'The Cat'. 

Details

String quartet #2
Year
Publisher
Universal Edition
Minutes
20