Piano Concerto No. 2 (Glass) - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Piano Concerto No. 2 was written by Philip Glass

Philip Glass

Philip Glass is an American composer. He is considered to be one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century and is widely acknowledged as a composer who has brought art music to the public .His music is often described as minimalist, along with...

in 2004. It is also called the Piano Concerto No. 2: After Lewis and Clark, due to its musical representation of the America

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

n pioneer

Pioneer

A pioneer is a soldier employed to perform engineering tasks. The term is in principle similar to sapper.Pioneers were originally part of the Artillery branch of European armies. Their primary job was to assist other Arms in tasks such as construction of field fortifications or military camps...

s. It was composed for the Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission, the Lied Center for Performing Arts, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts. It is included as one of the concerti

Concerto

A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...

in Glass' Concerto Project

The Concerto Project

The Concerto Project is a collection of concerti written by Philip Glass. The series was begun in 2000 and contains eight works, the most famous of which is probably the Concerto for Cello and Orchestra...

, a three volume collection of commissioned works. The work itself deals with the journey of Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis

Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer, soldier, and public administrator, best known for his role as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition also known as the Corps of Discovery, with William Clark...

and William Clark

William Clark

William Clark was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor. A native of Virginia, he grew up in prestatehood Kentucky before later settling in what became the state of Missouri...

, interpreting the stages of their expedition progressively in each movement.

Instrumentation

The work is scored for the following Classical

Classicism

Classicism, in the arts, refers generally to a high regard for classical antiquity, as setting standards for taste which the classicists seek to emulate. The art of classicism typically seeks to be formal and restrained: of the Discobolus Sir Kenneth Clark observed, "if we object to his restraint...

-size orchestra:

One Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...

flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...

, one clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...

, one oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...

, one bassoon
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
One trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...

, two horn
Horn (instrument)
The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....

s in F
Bass drum
Bass drum
Bass drums are percussion instruments that can vary in size and are used in several musical genres. Three major types of bass drums can be distinguished. The type usually seen or heard in orchestral, ensemble or concert band music is the orchestral, or concert bass drum . It is the largest drum of...

, snare drum
Snare drum
The snare drum or side drum is a melodic percussion instrument with strands of snares made of curled metal wire, metal cable, plastic cable, or gut cords stretched across the drumhead, typically the bottom. Pipe and tabor and some military snare drums often have a second set of snares on the bottom...

, cymbal
Cymbal
Cymbals are a common percussion instrument. Cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys; see cymbal making for a discussion of their manufacture. The greater majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sound a...

s, tambourine
Tambourine
The tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
Strings and solo piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...

Note that this orchestration is relatively small-scale in comparison to much of Glass' other symphonic work.

Structure

The work is in the standard three-movement concerto format, with the traditional fast-slow-fast tempo changes. As he discussed in regard to his earlier Violin Concerto

Violin Concerto No. 1 (Glass)

Philip Glass's Violin Concerto No. 1 was commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra for soloist Paul Zukofsky and premiered in New York City on 5 April 1987. The work was composed with Glass's late father in mind. The piece quickly became one of Glass's most popular works...

, Glass did not use the conventional format as a cession to tradition, but rather as a tool for depiction of the specific concerto theme.

First movement: The Vision

The opening movement begins with a broad statement by the piano and orchestra, working in unison to form a collaboration of orchestral minor chords and a whirling series of piano triplets shifting between minor and major modes. The agitated introduction settles onto a simple but expressive main theme punctuated by the tambourine. After a short while the piece quietens into a quick piano solo, which soon develops into a mellow exchange between the piano and woodwinds. The movement builds in intensity with characteristic Glass octave leaps into a rhythmic and repetitive climax sponsoring a calling trumpet supported by rapidly shifting piano undertones. Gradually the climax declines until the snare and piano share two major-key progressions, signalling a short but fluid exit of instruments. The last to leave are the strings; the piano then concludes the movement alone in soft minor resolutions (in some ways similar to those finishing the cadenza

Cadenza

In music, a cadenza is, generically, an improvised or written-out ornamental passage played or sung by a soloist or soloists, usually in a "free" rhythmic style, and often allowing for virtuosic display....

of Tchaikovsky's

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Russian: Пётр Ильи́ч Чайко́вский ; often "Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky" in English. His names are also transliterated "Piotr" or "Petr"; "Ilitsch", "Il'ich" or "Illyich"; and "Tschaikowski", "Tschaikowsky", "Chajkovskij"...

First Piano Concerto

Piano Concerto No. 1 (Tchaikovsky)

The Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky between November 1874 and February 1875. It was revised in the summer of 1879 and again in December 1888. The first version received heavy criticism from Nikolai Rubinstein, Tchaikovsky's desired pianist....

.)

The subject matter of the first movement concentrates on the possibilities of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Lewis and Clark Expedition, or ″Corps of Discovery Expedition" was the first transcontinental expedition to the Pacific Coast by the United States. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by two Virginia-born veterans of Indian wars in the Ohio Valley, Meriwether Lewis and William...

; Glass intends to indicate an amount of raw energy required for a "remarkable expedition" like that of the two men. Glass also wishes to convey a sense of structure and order, symbolizing the resolve of travelers; he does so by strictly controlling the energy expressed in the music, but allowing it to spark the thoughts of the listener beyond the confinement of rhythm.

Second movement: Sacagawea

The second movement is characterized by a soft flute theme representing Sacagawea

Sacagawea

Sacagawea ; was a Lemhi Shoshone woman, who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition, acting as an interpreter and guide, in their exploration of the Western United States...

, the Native American girl who aided the travelers during the harsh winter during their trek through the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

midwest. The movement opens with piano repetitions; the flute, joining quickly in the movement, proclaims an eerie theme. This suddenly shifts into a mild, playful exchange in which the piano and flute form a quick duet; this in turn develops into a climax, where shimmering strings support the flute, which continuously plays a growingly frantic two-note combination without resolution. Abruptly ending, the climax turns into a recapitulation of the original "Sacagawea" theme. The second part concludes with the lonely flute performing long, simple notes, and the piano playing almost indiscernible C major chords.

The second part is only scored for flute, snare, strings, and naturally piano. Not only does Glass attempt to make an audible representation of Sacagawea, but he also makes a clear effort to emphasize the relationship between the figures. The times of playfulness are distinct from those of sombre exchange; these are meant to symbolize the productivity of the relationship as well as potential disagreements (both logistical and cultural) that the party may have had, respectively. The second movement is also notable in that it shows a distinct change in Glass' style, a statement supported by the fact that the piano mentions the characteristic triplet construction used by Glass in most of his work only once; this is stated as a connector into the final touches of the movement.

Third movement: The Land

The final movement begins quietly. All of the instruments excluded from the preceding movement are reintroduced. After a series of sullen string lengths, as well as quick woodwind undertone, the piano enters the movement uncommonly late-more than two minutes into play. After some time, the work begins to escalade until it reaches a climactic moment in the concerto, a point of unforeseen energy and enthusiasm. This is recapitulated multiple times before the movement reverts to its original minor mode introductory material. The concerto finishes with piano solo, sadly playing low F minor chords.

The final part of the work is, perhaps, its most important. Glass comments: "I wanted this final movement to reflect also the expanse of time - what the land was before the expedition and what it became after." Glass emphasizes progression in this movement; this may be interpreted, in light of Glass' words, to be a movement of the country in and of itself, its successes and failures, and most importantly its Western expansion which was begun by the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Premiere

The concerto premiered in 2004 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska. The pianist was Paul Barnes

Paul Barnes

Paul Barnes may refer to:* Paul Barnes , prominent figure of modern UK graphic design* Paul Barnes , American clarinetist and saxophonist* Paul Barnes , English footballer...

. Playing the prominent flute part of the second movement was R. Carlos Nakai. The Omaha Symphony Orchestra provided for the rest of the scoring commands; the orchestra was conducted by Victor Yampolsky. The premiere was a success, although, due to its youth as a concerto, the work has not received the full scope of musical attention given to that of Glass' earlier work.

Part of The Concerto Project

The Concerto Project is a a series of concerti written and collected by Glass in three volumes. This concerto was chosen to be included in Volume II of the collection. It is paired with the Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra on that disc. The recording of the work on the program is as follows:

2004: Paul Barnes (piano) and Ralf Gothóni (with Northwest Chamber Orchestra), recorded 2006, released 2006 on The Concerto Project Vol. II (Orange Mountain Music) as "Piano Concerto No. 2: After Lewis and Clark" (35:26).

Relation to minimalism

Although Philip Glass dislikes the term "minimalist," most of his work is categorized that way by the public; the Piano Concerto No. 2 is an example of a break from minimalism, in accordance with the composer's opinion of his own music (which he calls "classicist").

Although the repetitiveness which is associated with Glass' branch of minimalism (particularly in that of the triplet) is present in the concerto, there are, as in the progressively separatist Concerto for Cello and Orchestra

Cello Concerto (Glass)

The Cello Concerto No. 1 was written by Philip Glass in 2001. It was one of the first concerti of the twenty-first century. The piece was commissioned by William and Rebecca Krueger, friends of the composer, for the 50th birthday of cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. A typical performance takes 20-25...

written three years before, many differences. For example, the abovementioned flute involvement in the second movement displays almost no pertinence to minimalism: the part is varied and unpredictable, a clear distinction between the assumed minimalist norm and the actual piece. Similarly, the opening movement makes heavy use of abruptness and unclear musical expression; although this is arguably a decisively modern musical trait, it is incongruous with the current mode of minimalism. The piece is also considered to be an experimentation with World music

World music

World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...

; this is manifested in the frequent use of long, distant chords.

Representation of the expedition

The concerto is in such a format so as to convey a sense of movement, both in the music and its depiction, the expedition. The soloist premiering the piece, Paul Barnes

Paul Barnes

Paul Barnes may refer to:* Paul Barnes , prominent figure of modern UK graphic design* Paul Barnes , American clarinetist and saxophonist* Paul Barnes , English footballer...

, comments: "'The Land' is a gloriously expansive theme and variation reflecting the great vastness of the land explored by Lewis and Clark." Glass wishes to describe the nation's nineteenth century stance of "manifest destiny

Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny was the 19th century American belief that the United States was destined to expand across the continent. It was used by Democrat-Republicans in the 1840s to justify the war with Mexico; the concept was denounced by Whigs, and fell into disuse after the mid-19th century.Advocates of...

", a policy largely initiated, if only indirectly, by the team's journey. Glass achieves this goal by infusing into the third movement a fully energetic high-point, with possible variation on American folk songs, a tradition from which the composer sometimes takes influence. The common use of long, sweeping major and minor chords can be interpreted as a tactic used to create the "distant" feel of the expedition, as well as the comparative strangeness of the world explored by the travelers. This stratagem is also employed as a conveyance of the apprehension the Americans probably felt, in addition to their presupposed feelings regarding the cultural differences of Western and Native American societies.

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