WORKS FOR ENSEMBLE


Oxymoron (Music for Tirol)

dedicated to Olari Elts

2003

19'

1111, 1110, perc. pf(synth) str(11111)

Fp: 12.9.2003, Festival "Klangspuren" Schwaz; NYYD Ensemble, cond. Olari Elts

Commissioned by: Tirol Werbung and Klangspuren Festival Schwaz

Publisher: Edition Peters

CD Oxymoron ECM (2007) NYYD Ensemble, Olari Elts

 

Reviews

World premiere at Klangspuren Festival, Schwaz. 12.09.2003. NYYD Ensemble. Olari Elts

(---) Ein Komponist und ein Land: Sie kennen sich nicht. Die
Annäherung führt über einen Kompositionsauftrag. Als die Tirol-Werbung
bei Philipp Glass anklopfte, entstand naive Musik um ein altes Tiroler
Marienlied. Der estnische Komponist Erkki Sven Tüür sieht Tirol anders. Als
Land der Kontraste, von Statik und Dynamik, harmonischen Gesetzen und
Auflösung. Seine "Music for Tirol" heißt nach dem Gegensätze
benennenden Wort "Oxymoron". Die Tiroler Landschaft hat Tüür fasziniert,
"das innere Leben der Berge, ihre eingeschlossene Kraft."

Tiroler Gegensätze

Wer hier lebt, weiß noch andere Gegensätze. Und findet viele in Tüürs
"Oxymoron". Der Este hat sich hier anregen lassen, beschreibt nicht,
sondern verwandelt und bleibt in seiner Sprache. Er ist ein Mystiker des
Klanges, aus dessen Innerem die Bewegung wächst, sich transformiert, zur
Energie ballt und wieder entspannt. Er arbeitet mit den musikeigenen
Schubkräften, kann scharf sein, entwickelt jede Station aber sprunglos vor
dem Hörer, der sich dadurch Verständnis suggeriert.

Eine hochkomplexe, in sich ver-rückende Musik. Sie hört sich gut an.
"Oxymoron" lässt Assoziationen zu und weiß unbewusst viel vom
Widmungsland. Es ist eine Musik nicht aus oder auf, sondern respektvoll für
Tirol. Komponiert für solistisch besetztes, vom Klavier bereichertes
Kammerorchester. Am Beginn Tüürs typisches Initial. Am Ende zart
flirrendes Flageolett. Und die Flöte: Da geht einer, kaum hörbar pfeifend,
weg. (---)

Tiroler Tageszeitung

 

 

Queen's Hall, Edinburgh. 17.11.2007  Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Olari Elts

(---) The orchestra under the baton of their Principal Guest Conductor, Olari Elts, enjoyed an exciting rapport as they engaged in the second première of the evening, Erkki-Sven Tüür's Oxymoron. As the title of the work suggests, the piece attempted to invoke the fusion of musical opposites including (as the programme notes cite) 'tonality and atonality'. Despite the confusing description of these aims (by their nature, tonality and atonality are already forcefully joined), the performance was a sensationally exhilarating musical work and the highlight of the evening. The most thrilling moment came near the middle of the piece when the strings' harmonic interlocking rhythms gave way to a flurry of string crossing. Independent rhythmic patterns coupled with a dense texture and a skilful and extensive percussion section created a frenzy of intense sound. The orchestra certainly rose to the demands of the piece.

www.MusicalCriticism.com   Mary Robb


String Quartet No 2 "Lost Prayers"

2012

13'

FP: 13. 09. 2012 Participants of the 61st ARD International Music Competition

Prinzregententheater, München 

Commissioned by: The ARD International Music Competition

Publisher: Edition Peters

1) CD: Music for Strings  BR Klassik 900715   Armida Quartet  (2017)

2) CD: Lost Prayers   ECM New Series 2666   Signum Quartet  (2020)


String Quartet No 1

in memoriam Urmas Kibuspuu

1985

18'

Fp: Tallinn String Quartet; February 14, 1986, Tallinn

Publisher: Fennica Gehrman

1) CD “Baltic Elegy”, Collins Classics (1996); The Duke Quartet: Louisa Fuller, Rick Koster (violins), John Metcalfe (viola), Ivan McCready (cello)

2) CD “Chamber Music from Estonia”, BIS (1993); Tallinn String Quartet: Urmas Vulp, Toomas Nestor (violins), Viljar Kuusk (viola), Teet Järvi (cello)

 


Lichttürme

2017

16'

violin, cello, piano

Fp: Christian Tetzlaff (violin) Tanja Tetzlaff (cello) Lars Vogt (piano)

June 23. 2017 Kraftwerk Heimbach. Festival "Spannungen"

Commissioned by: Festival "Spannungen"

Publisher: Edition Peters

CD: Lost Prayers   ECM New Series 2666   Yxus Trio

Reviews

Pärnu Music Festival, Pärnu Concert Hall.

15. 08. 2017

Yxus Trio

Harry Traksmann (violin) Leho Karin (cello) Marrit Gerretz-Traksmann (piano)

 

(---)The stunners, though, were two one-movement piano trios by TüürFata Morgana was composed in 2002, a shimmering mirage which had to end in an extraordinary way (it did, with pianist Raide striking the depths of the keyboard while violinist, young Robert Traksmann, and cellist Marcel Johannes Kits vanished into the ether). Lichttürme (Lighthouses) of 2016 took the marine magic several leagues further, plunging in the middle this time and reaching out to the metaphysical in its closing stages. The premiere, given by Christian and Tanja Tetzlaff with Lars Vogt, had been incomplete owing to lack of preparation time, but not this extraordinary performance, where violinist and pianist joining cellist Leho Karin happened in a lovely touch to be the parents of Fata Morgana’s violinist, Harry Traksmann and Marrit Gerretz-Traksmann (---)

theartsdesk.com  David Nice


Fata Morgana

2002

14'

violin, cello, piano

Fp: Grieg Trio; March 22, 2003, Wigmore Hall, London, UK

Commissioned by: Grieg Trio

Publisher: Edition Peters

CD: Lost Prayers   ECM New Series 2666   Yxus Trio

Reviews

Phillips Collection Leading European Composers concert series

Washington DC

24. 02. 2011 New Tallinn Trio

 

(---) But the most purely beautiful music of the evening came at its close, with Tuur's "Fata Morgana," a work that, like the mirage it is named for, drew you in with shimmering, irresistible allure.

Washington Post, Febr. 25. 2011.  Stephen Brookes


Motus II

1998

9'

percussion 4 players

Fp: Cabaza Percussion Quartet; October 17, 1998  Nürnberg

Commissioned by: Cabaza Percussion Quartet

Publisher: Edition Peters

CD “In The Eye Of The Storm”, CPO (1999); Cabaza Percussion Quartet


Transmission

1996

16'

6 pianos

Fp: Piano Circus; September 10, 1996, Vale of Glamorgan Festival, Cardiff, Wales, U.K.

Commissioned by: Piano Circus

CD “Piano Circus: Transmission”, PCD003; Piano Circus 


Symbiosis

dedicated to Helge Slaatto and Frank Reinecke

1996

10'

violin, double bass

Fp: Helge Slaato (violin), Frank Reinecke (double bass); May 7, 1996, Berlin, Germany

Commissioned by: Helge Slaato and Frank Reinecke

Publisher: Edition Peters

1)CD “Nyyd Ensemble: Now. Estonian Composers”, Elwood Muusik (2001); NYYD Ensemble

2)CD "Street Music" Helge Slaatto and Frank Reinecke. Ambitus Music Production (2005)

Reviews

Sophie Appleton, violin
Sian Hicks, double bass

25. 02. 2016 Sage Gateshead. UK

(---)The quartet lived and breathed together as you would expect, but the piece that followed, Erkki-Sven Tüür’s Symbiosis, a duet for double-bass and violin demanded an entirely different relationship between its two performers, Sian Hicks and Sophie Appleton. The title suggested that the two parts were feeding off each other, each needing the other to survive, but still remaining as two independent organisms, and the music backed up the imagery as the parts shifted in and out of phase with each other. After a languid start, the piece picked up energy, with Sian Hicks at one point sounding like a bass guitarist in a rock band under Sophie Appleton’s wildly vigorous fiddle line.

 

Bachtrack. Jane Shuttleworth


Synergie

Dedicated to Renaud and Gautier Capuçon

2010

9' 50''

violin, cello

Fp: Renaud Capuçon (violin),  Gautier Capuçon (cello); Sept. 2. 2010

Chambéry, Cathédrale de Chambéry

CD: Lost Prayers   ECM New Series 2666   Florian Donderer, violin   Tanja Tetzlaff, cello


Lamentatio

1995

9'

saxophone quartet

Fp: Stockholm Saxophone Quartet; January 31, 1995, Tallinn

Commissioned by: Stockholm Saxophone Quartet

1) CD “Amstel Saxophone Quartet: Straight Lines”, Eramus Music & Media MVH (2002); Amstel Saxophone Quartet

2) CD "sonic.art Saxophonquartett" ;  Genuin Classics GEN 10164 (2010)

3) CD "Dedicated"  ; Chamber Sound CSCD 13050 (2013);   Stockholm Saxophone Quartet  


Conversio

1994

11'

violin, piano

Publisher. Eres Edition (distrib. Edition Peters)

1) CD “From My Home”, Teldec (1997); Gidon Kremer (violin), Vadim Sacharov (piano)

2) CD "Estonian composer V", Estonian Public Broadcasting (2008); Andres Mustonen (violin), Ivo Sillamaa (piano)

3) CD "Music for violin and piano", Brilliant Classics 94814 (2014) Andrea Cortesi (violin), Marco Venturi (piano)

Program note

(---) Conversio is here taken to mean a turning around or revolution. When the music starts it feels like a piece of buoyant American minimalism, but given Erkki-Sven Tüür’s history we quickly realize it will not turn out that simple. Nonetheless a groove is established, neither fast nor slow, that we can settle down to enjoy. Gradually we sense the Conversio creeping up on us like the incoming tide, a gradual but systemic change until we are undeniably in a different world, chords ring out like rifle shots, silence proliferates, the ground shifts under our feet, where will this end? 

© Francis Humphrys

Reviews

10. 11. 2015 Leila Josefowizc & John Novacek. Carnegie Hall. New York

(---) This was Schumann looking forward, particularly from the final movement’s propulsive drive to the Post-Minimalism of the program’s second half. Ms. Josefowicz took every rhythmic detour in Erkki-Sven Tuur’s “Conversio” (1994), which starts stuck in a rut, confused and circling, and seems to get out by remembering how to be silent, despite interruptions by slashing chords. (---)

New York Times. David Allen.  11.11.2015

 

(---) Tüür’s Conversio is a compelling work that one would like to hear again and again. It begins with the violin repeating short, rhythmic phrases, kicked along with wisely placed accents. There are quiet, precise chords in the piano, and while the music sounds delicate, the structure is clearly made of steel. As the piece moves along, the music grows denser, tension builds, everything gets more interesting. The violin briefly takes flight in songful outbursts.

As the music grows more crunchy and complex, it becomes clear that the piece is much more than an exercise in building activity. The music breaks through into a completely different idea, a kind of fantasia that overwhelms the original music. The piece ends by dissolving with the lingering effect of a rich dream.

Josefowicz and Novacek played the music with skill and fire (---)

http://newyorkclassicalreview.com  George Grella. Nov. 2015

http://newyorkclassicalreview.com/2015/11/josefowicz-hits-late-groove-with-contemporary-works/


Drama

dedicated to Camerata Tallinn

1994

12'

flute, violin, guitar  (alternative version: vibraphone, violin, guitar)

Publisher: Eres Edition (distrib. Edition Peters)

1) CD “Cantus – Estonian Chamber Music from the 1990’s”, Finlandia (1998); Janika Lentsius (flute), Urmas Vulp (violin), Heiki Mätlik (guitar)

2) CD “Drama”, Estonian Radio (2001); Terje Terasmaa (vibraphone), Arvo Leibur (violin), Heiki Mätlik (guitar)

3) CD “Reinbert Evers: Drama – Baltic Music for Guitar”, Ambitus Musikproduktion (2000); Konrad Hünteler (flute), Midoro Goto (violin), Reinbert Evers (guitar)


Spiel

Dedicated to Martin Ostertag and Boris Björn Bagger

1992

8'

cello, guitar

Fp: Martin Ostertag (cello), Boris Björn Bagger (guitar); April 7, 1992, Karlsruhe, Germany

Commissioned by Europäische Kulturtage, Karlsruhe

Publisher: Edition 49 (distrib. Edition Peters)

CD “Desert Island”, Finlandia (2001); Henry-David Varema (cello), Heiki Mätlik (guitar)


Spectrum II

1994

11'

trumpet, organ, percussion ad lib.

Fp: Andres Uibo (organ), Jüri Leiten (trumpet), Madis Metsamart (percussion); July 29, 1994, Tallinn

Publisher: Eres Edition (distrib. by Edition Peters)

CD "Spectrums" , EMIC CD024 (2019)  Ulla Krigul (organ) Indrek Vau (trumpet) Lauri Metsvahi (percussion)


Spectrum IV

2004

15'

cello, organ

Fp: Allar Kaasik (cello), Markku Mäkinen (organ)

June 29, 2004, St. Elizabeth Church, Pärnu, Estonia, David Oistrakh Festival

Commissioned by: David Oistrakh Festival

Publisher: Edition Peters

CD "Spectrums" , EMIC CD024 (2019)  Ulla Krigul (organ) Leho Karin (cello)


Dick and Toff in Wonderland

1991

6'

flute, tuba (alternative version flute, bass clarinet)

Publisher: Fennica Gehrman

CD “Sisemonoloog – Inner Monologue”, PM CD01 (1999); Peeter Malkov (flute), Toomas Vavilov (bass clarinet) 

 


Dedication

1990

7'

cello, piano

Publisher: Edition Peters

CD „Oxymoron”, ECM (2007); Leho Karin (cello), Marrit Gerretz-Traksmann (piano)

 


Prints

1985

7'

flute, harp

Fp: Raivo Peäske (flute), Eda Rajasalu (harp); June 1, 1985, Tallinn

Publisher: Fennica Gehrman

CD “Inner Monologue”, PM CD 01; Peeter Malkov (flute), Tatjana Lepnurm (harp)


Architectonics I

1984

5'

wind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn)

Fp: Jaan Tamm Wind Quintet; May 25, 1985, Tallinn

Commissioned by: Jaan Tamm Wind Quintet

Publisher: Fennica Gehrman

1) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, Finlandia (1996); NYYD Ensemble, conductor Olari Elts

2) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, CCn’C (2001); Absolute Ensemble, conductor Kristjan Järvi

3) CD Winter Songs, BIS ; Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet

 


Architectonics II

1986

10'

clarinet, cello, piano

Fp:Vahur Vurm (cl.) Andres Narma (c) Ivo SIllamaa (p); March 21, 1987, Tallinn

Publisher: Fennica Gehrman

1) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, Finlandia (1996); NYYD Ensemble, conductor Olari Elts

2) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, CCn’C (2001); Absolute Ensemble, conductor Kristjan Järvi


Architectonics III "Postmetaminimal Dream"

1990

10'

flute(alto flute), clarinet(bass clarinet), 2 pianos(synthesizer), percussion (2 players), violin, cello

Fp: California EAR Unit; April 23, 1991, Los Angeles, USA

Commissioned by: California EAR Unit

Publisher: Fennica Gehrman

1) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, Finlandia (1996); NYYD Ensemble, conductor Olari Elts

2) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, CCn’C (2001); Absolute Ensemble, conductor Kristjan Järvi

3) CD "Tüür" Warner Apex (2003); NYYD Ensemble, conductor Olari Elts


Architectonics IV "per Cadenza ad Metasimplicity"

1990

9'

violin(electric violin), bassoon, baritone saxophone, piano(synthesizer)

Fp: Sound Pressure; May 27, 1990, Border Crossings Festival, Toronto, Canada

Commissioned by: Sound Pressure

Publisher: Fennica Gehrman

1) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, Finlandia (1996); NYYD Ensemble, conductor Olari Elts

2) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, CCn’C (2001); Absolute Ensemble, conductor Kristjan Järvi

3) CD "Tüür" Warner Apex (2003); NYYD Ensemble, conductor Olari Elts


Architectonics V

1991

12'

electric guitar, amplified piano

Commissioned by: John Tamburello

1) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, Finlandia (1996); NYYD Ensemble, conductor Olari Elts

2) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, CCn’C (2001); Absolute Ensemble, conductor Kristjan Järvi

3) CD “Desert Island”, Finlandia (2001); NYYD Ensemble, conductor Olari Elts


Architectonics VI

1992

10'

fl, cl, vibraphone, string quartet

Fp: members of the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra; August 21, 1992, Helsinki, Finland

Commissioned by: Helsinki Festival

Publisher: Fennica Gehrman

1) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, Finlandia (1996); NYYD Ensemble, conductor Olari Elts

2) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, CCn’C (2001); Absolute Ensemble, conductor Kristjan Järvi

Version for fl, cl, vibraphone, string orchestra

CD “Crystallisatio”, ECM (1996); Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, conductor Tõnu Kaljuste

NB! 2004 New version for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, percussion, string quintet OR string orchestra

Fp: NYYD Ensemble, conductor Olari Elts; May 8, 2004; Estonian Radio, Tallinn

YOUTUBE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFXUEfW6xJU

 


Architectonics VII

1992

9'

flute, cello, harpsichord (or: flute, bass clarinet, piano)

Fp: Algirdas Vizgirda (flute), Teet Järvi (cello), Aina Kalnciema (harpsichord); October 6, 1992, Strasbourg, France

Commissioned by: Musica Festival Strasbourg

Publisher: Fennica Gehrman

1) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, Finlandia (1996) NYYD Ensemble, conductor Olari Elts

2) CD “The Baltic Trio: Pastoral of Computerized World”, Finlandia (1997); Baltic Trio: Algirdas Vizgirda (flute), Teet Järvi (cello), Aina Kalnciema (harpsichord)

3) CD “Erkki-Sven Tüür: Architectonics”, CCn’C (2001); Absolute Ensemble, conductor Kristjan Järvi

Reviews

Phillips Collection Leading European Composers concert series

Washington DC

24. 02. 2011 New Tallinn Trio

 

(---)Take, for instance, the composer Erkki-Sven Tuur, whose chamber music was the focus of the evening. Spare, probing, intense and extraordinarily characterful, Tuur's compositions work on an almost physical level, using insistent gestures to build structures of sound that are both powerful and deeply moving - and even, in the case of the final piece, downright exalting.

And Tuur couldn't ask for more committed interpreters than the New Tallinn Trio, superb Estonian musicians who turned in ear-searing playing throughout the evening. The concert (part of the Phillips's "Leading European Composers" series) opened with the trio "Architectonics VII," and many of the hallmarks of Tuur's music were quickly apparent. Evocative and unabashedly expressive, even playful, it spoke a modern but completely accessible language in which melody was never far from the surface, building repeated gestures and phrases into a powerhouse of momentum that was nothing less than exhilarating. (---)

Washington Post, Febr. 25. 2011.  Stephen Brookes