Dirk Brossé
Principals
for Symphony Orchestra
1999
17’20”
DESCRIPTION
In 1996 the Belgian National Orchestra was celebrating its 60 anniversary.
Principals is conceived as a musical speech, given by a person who is celebrating a birthday – in this case the Belgian National Orchestra. Everything revolves around the ‘First Chairs’ or ‘Principals’, who each deliver a part of that speech in their own very special way.
Some are serious, cool and businesslike, others are already a little tipsy and become melancholy or a little mischievous, and yet others go completely wild…. Various musical genres, from the purely classical up to and including jazz and funk, jostle with each other constantly. Unusual combinations of instruments, dialogues between various genres, and classical soloists playing in a way that for them is highly unconventional, ensure that this is a musical celebration like no other…. A piece of spontaneous music, in which the orchestra gets a chance to let a different and unexpected voice be heard.
INSTRUMENTATION
2(2nd also pic) 222 / 4331 / timp* + 2 perc** / hp / strings
*timp also plays triangle and tubular bells
**percussion instruments:
percussion 1: tubular bells – vibra – xylo – 5 temple blocks – a pair of cymbals – drumset
(including: 4 tuned toms – snare drum – bass drum with foot pedal)
percussion 2: marimba – glockenspiel – 2 tuned woodblock – tam tam – tambourine –
crotales (1 complete set) – suspended cymbal
COMMISSION
Commissioned by the Belgian National Orchestra
PREMIERE
World premiere by Belgian National Orchestra, conducted by Yuri Simonov, on May 19, 1996, at Bourla Theatre Antwerp
PUBLISHER
Dirk Brossé
AVAILABLE SCORES & ORCHESTRAL MATERIALS
Available on a rental base form the composer
RELATED RECORDINGS
Recorded by London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Dirk Brossé
Live recording by Belgian National Orchestra, conducted by Yuri Simonov, available
CATEGORIES
Works for Orchestra / Chamber Orchestra