Ruders: Gong
The Solar Triloogy I
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- Composer: Poul Ruders (1949-)
- Format: Full Score
- Instrumentation: Orchestra
- Work: Gong (The Solar Triloogy I) (1993)
- Binding: Spiral Bound
- ISBN:
- Size: 11.7 x 16.5 inches
- Pages: 96
Description
The word GONG is saturated with associations: the splendour of the Orient, mysticism, drama, loud metallic clangour, violent impact, etc. The present piece draws upon all those connotations, but it is primarily a symphonic drama about the life and behaviour of the sun, our closest star and prime source of life on Earth. Describing the sun in music is not a new idea, of course: during a visit to Greece, Carl Nielsen was inspired by the orbit of the sun and its very un-Danish ferocity and thus wrote the "Helios Overture". GONG is a "Helios Overture" too, of sorts, albeit more abstract. Recent astronomical research shows, that the surface of the sun reverberates like a gong, infour different, simultaneous tempi (not directly depicted in the score, though): the sun looks like a GONG, - the O in the written work looks like the sun: there is even a solar research group called GONG (Global Oscillation Network Group). Formally the composition follows the life and fate of the sun, from the initial explotional birth through the hyper-activity as energy source as we know it today to the final, predicted flaring up and collapse into a so-called "white dwarf". But - being a musical composition, not an astrophysical thesis - GONG is brought to its compositional conclusion by a "real concert-ending", a chord taken from the middle of the piece and sustained over several bars, from virtual nothingness to full force.
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Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
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Paperback
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Performance / Playing Score
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Set of Parts
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Solo Part with Piano Reduction
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Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
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Ruders: Gong
