Impetuosity
orchestra (10')
Two neutron stars collide; the resulting gravitational wave spread at the speed of light. (Credit: National Science Foundation/LIGO/Sonoma State University/A. Simonne)
audio excerpt:
Premiere: March 11, 2004, The Cleveland Orchestra, Roberto Abbado - conductor
Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio
"Botti's Impetuosity remains airborne for most of its invigorating 10 minutes. The composer...maintains a bold and fresh sense of motion in this score. Sounds fly by in a swirl, waltz gleefully about and head off on jazzy tangents. The only moment of repose is a solo for the concertmaster, who has a dandy workout before the orchestra resumes its mysterious and jaunty ride."
-- Donald Rosenberg, Cleveland Plain Dealer
PROGRAM NOTE:
Impetuosity is an exploration of momentum.
The piece begins with a build-up of energy from a static state gradually increasing in tension until it is unleashed. The orchestra is the energy force careening in many directions, focusing strongly as a rhythmic unit, finding precarious balances, held at a stillpoint momentarily by the concertmaster until the free-flying pendulum again starts to swing.
"Impetus: the force or energy associated with a moving body" (Webster's).
Inspired by the freedom of great Jazz artists I admire such as Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba... and dedicated to the musicians of the Cleveland Orchestra.
Instrumentation:
3 Fl (1 dbl picc, 1 dbl alto fl)
3 Ob (1 dbl Eng. hn)
2 Bb Cl, 1 Bs. Cl.
2 Bsn, 1 Cbsn
4 Hn in F, 3 Bb Tpt
2 Tbn, 1 Bass Tbn, 1 Tuba
Timpani
3 Perc
Piano
2 Harps
Strings