Look insideChristian Mason (*1984) Voix Terrestre
[str orch] 2022 Duration: 23'
str: 6.5.4.4.1.1
World premiere: Clermont-Ferrand/France, February 24, 2023
Commissioned by the Auvergne Residency
Voix Terrestre has been developed from a recent song cycle called Hölderlin’s Madness, which sets poems by the German Romantic poet Friedrich Hölderlin and by Twentieth-century English poet David Gascoyne. Through their words Gascoyne and Hölderlin evoke a consciousness beyond the human, animating nature with a voice of its own.
The inspiration came from contemplating these poetic images of song emerging from the Earth in different ways. Sometimes lush and sonorous, at others dancing, the music contrasts irregular ostinati with a lyrical impulse and a desire to sing.
The work is dedicated to Ricardo Delgado and Laurent Bécamel, the contrabasses of l’Orchestre National d’Auvergne, who have a special role in the piece.
(Christian Mason, 2023)
| 1. Figure in a Landscape |
| 2. Orpheus in the Underworld |
| 3. Songs of Destiny |
| 4. 'And little knowledge but much pleasure…' |
| 5. Tenebrae |