Compositional Techniques
The work has a fundamental chord which works as a building block in harmonic sense for the entire work. All other chords and harmonies are derived from this chord. The chord, depicted as figure 1, is made out of combinations of dominant seventh chords, combined with each other. The result is a harmonic language which sounds chromatic and dissonant, but still gives a feeling of movement (Zuidam 40).
In melodic sense A King, Riding works with a basic melodic curve, and gets altered throughout the piece. This process happens partially trough the use of electronics. It is split up in smaller entities, mirrored and changes are added. In rhythmic sense we can find a lot of proportional values (Zuidam 40).
Another important aspect is the use of Baroque rhetoric. The solo-instruments accentuate the emotional state of the singing voices using special intervals and special rhythmic patterns. Also the work as whole is build as a modern passion: solo-aria’s are being varied with instrumental and ensemble parts. These parts, among which the Pessoa poems, are build as baroque chorals and madrigals using polyphonic techniques. The poems are presented as "heterophonies" (Deurzen 217).
The work was premiered the 21st of May 1996, at the Royal Circus in Brussels. The work was performed by the ASKO-Schönberg Ensemble, conducted by Reinbert de Leeuw.
Read more about this topic: Klaas De Vries (composer), The Opera A King, Riding
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