3.3.3.3(III=dbn)-4.3.3.1-perc(5):timp/tgl/crot/3bongos/3tpl.bl/3wdbl/3tom-t/SD/BD/3susp.cym/gong/bells/tam-t/glsp/xyl/vib-hp-cel-str
Abbreviations (PDF)
Sikorski
‘The title ‘Beyond the Seven Seals’ comes from the Bible, but in Russian it has a different meaning when we speak of mysteries that we do not understand. I put the beginning of a poem by Omar Khayyam in front of the piece as an epigraph:
'Where did we come from?
Where are we going?
What is the meaning of our lives?
We cannot comprehend it ...'
The composition begins with these three questions, which are represented by the harp. This is followed by a phrase consisting of seven sections that relate to the symbolism of the last line ‘We cannot comprehend ...’: The answer to our questions lies behind the seven seals. Throughout the piece, people try to understand something, but it all boils down to the fatal seventh seal. The composition ends with seven chords struck by the whole orchestra.’ (Elena Firsova)