D major music machine

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The D major music machine is an orchestral work and was composed in 1973 by Georg Katzer and was premiered on May 18, 1975 in the Hans-Otto-Theater in Potsdam under the direction of Volkmar Olbrich with the orchestra of the city of Hagen .

plant

The work takes about 16 minutes. Initially, the D major music machine was intended as a ballet or as a "relaxation exercise" between two great works. Originally Georg Katzer wanted his work "Nostalgia for Orchestra", which is based on an anti-nostalgic basic idea. However, this would have led to irritation. The line-up includes 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in Bb, a bass clarinet in Bb, a bassoon, a contrabassoon, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in Bb, 2 trombones, a piano, a harp, percussion (1–3) and strings (10, 10, 6, 6, 5).

description

The work symbolizes a machine into which money is to be thrown in order to bring happiness above all to disoriented people. Like any other machine, this device also creates problems and goes through various adventures. These adventures are described by the D major chord, which is the main theme here. Towards the end of the work the “Triumph des D-Durs” can be heard, but this is not a real triumph because the machine has not really brought luck.

Horn melodies are also heard, which are supposed to be reminiscent of an alpine idyll, such as Wagner's beginning of the Rheingoldes , as well as some passages that were written in Tchaikovsky's style. In the course of the work, cluster glissandi are played, "simple" glissandi and irregular noises. The slowing pace and the noise create a turning point in the work.

Towards the end, the higher string instruments play glissandos leading downwards. After the general break, a small bang of the drums can be heard. The pianist keeps his hands on the strings of the open piano. As a result, the piano absorbs the sound of the bang. In the overtone row on D, additional glissandos are played on some instruments. The clarinet simulates the rhythmic pulsation of a slowing machine. The work ends with a quieter, worn, "ugly" D major triad. The "ugly playing" is in the notes.

literature

  • Nina Noeske: The D major music machine . From: Musical deconstruction: new instrumental music in the GDR. 3. Edition. Böhlau, Cologne 2008, ISBN 978-3-412-20045-9 , pp. 286-296.