Lao Tzu (from Tao-teh Ching, chapter 50) (Ch) and Kotaro Takamura (Knife-Whetter) (J)
2S,2M, (pianist has singing role)
1.2picc.1.corA.0.0-2.0.0.0-perc(2):crot/glsp/vib/xyl/lg.tgl/cowbells/
2bell plates/rin/t.bells/2gongs-pft(=cel)-harp-strings(min.3.3.3.3.2)
solo pft(=singing/koto)
TAO (the way) is the second part of my Trilogy of the Last Day, a cycle of compositions about mortality. In this part the choir sings a text from Tao-teh Ching (‘The Classic of the Way and its Virtue’), written by Lao Tzu in the sixth century BC. The piano soloist ends the piece with a poem, ‘Knife-Whetter’, written about 2,500 years later by Kotaro Takamura (1883–1956). There is a kind of contradiction between the two texts: in Tao-teh Ching calm and emptiness dominate and, in the chosen fragment, invulnerability. But Takamura’s poem is primarily ominous.
This composition is based on a series of thirteen chords corresponding to the thirteen companions which Lao Tzu speaks of. I have made no attempt to relate to what is known as ‘music from the Far East’ or, even worse, ‘world music’.
Louis Andriessen
Reproduction Rights:
This programme note may be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to the composer.
