• Kaija Saariaho
  • Graal théâtre (chamber version) (1997)

  • Chester Music Ltd (World)

The reduced score (CH61077-01) is in fact the arrangement for two pianos. It requires two grand pianos with sostenuto pedal. It may be used for rehearsal of both full orchestra and chamber versions. The solo violin part is supplied separately (CH61222-01).

  • 1(pic).1.1+bcl.1/2.1.0+btbn.0/2perc/hp.pf/str(1.1.1.1.1)
  • violin; 2.2.3.2/4.2.2.1/4perc/hp.pf/str(12.10.8.6.4)
  • violin
  • 25 min
    • 23rd April 2024, Caruth Auditorium at SMU, Dallas, TX, United States of America
    • 9th May 2024, Historic Asolo Theater at Ringling Museum, Sarasota, FL, United States of America
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Programme Note

Graal théâtre (Grail Theatre) takes its title from a book of the same name by Jacques Roubaud. While I was working on my violin concerto the book inspired me indirectly in two ways: firstly the title expresses the tension I feel between the efforts of the composer when writing music and the theatrical aspect of a performance, especially in the case of a concerto where the soloist is playing a major role both physically and musically. Roubaud’s interpretation of the old legend, with its very personal example, also encouraged me to realise something that I had long found impossible: to bring an idea of the violin concerto, a genre with so many
moving and skilful masterpieces, into my musical framework and language.

When compared with my other music, Graal théâtre is the exception in a long row of pieces in which I combined acoustic instruments with electronic elements. Unlike these earlier works, my starting point here was the delicate violin sound and its interaction with the orchestra.
The initial source of inspiration for the piece was the playing and musicianship of Gidon Kremer, to whom the work is dedicated.

K.S.
Paris, 1995

Media

Graal theatre (Version for Violin & Chamber Orchestra): I. Delicato
Graal theatre (Version for Violin & Chamber Orchestra): II. Impetuoso

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