Introduction
The concert was held on 26th, May 2016 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in 3rd South Grand Avenue, Lost Angeles. The performance was by the Los Angeles Philharmonic consisting of Gustavo Dudamel (conductor), Iron Barnatan (piano), and Bill Viola (video). The compositions performed were Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten (Arvo Part), Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K. 453 (Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart), Inverted Birth (Bill Viola), and Symphony No. 4, “Los Angeles” (Arvo Part).
Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten
The first piece performed during the concert was the Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten. This piece was composed by Arvo Part in the year 1977 and lasts for six minutes. The orchestration consists of strings and bells. This piece was first performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the year 2002, with Jarvi Paavo as the conductor. The composition was created in memory of Benjamin Britten, a great British composer who passed on in the year 1976.
The piece was created to give the impression of purity. The composition consists of three quiet and widely spaced chiming of a bell opens the Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten to create the compelling spell, which overshadows the short duration of the process in a transcending manner. This is followed by strings, which begin softly and gradually increase their intensity minute by minute before the fortissimo climax that is sustained in the variants of ascending and descending scale.
These scales are exaggerated by the random chirms of the bell, which occur at intervals and overlap at variant speed to create a dynamic archaic and atmosphere of the church environment. The music is repetitive, a common trait of minimalistic pieces. The Los Angeles Philharmonic managed to elevate the Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten to create a spiritual atmosphere to captivate the thrilled audience.
In my opinion, this was the best piece performed. In terms of consonance, major, rhythm, dynamic contrast, and contrast in timbre, the ratings are 2, 1, 9, 8, and 9 respectively. The composition has three movements with a similar name.
Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K. 453
The second piece, Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K. 453, was composed by Wolfgand Amedeus Mozart back in the year 1784. The composition lasts for 30 minutes. The orchestration consists of a solo piano, strings, 2 horns, 2 bassoons, a flute, and 2 oboes. The Los Angeles Philharmonic performed this piece for the first time in the year 1950 with Wallenstein as the conductor and Rudolf as the pianist. Mozart wrote this piece to one of his students called Barbara Ployer and she played on several occasions with the original composer in attendance. During the performance of the Piano Concerto No. 17 in G Major, K. 453 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the opening movement was characterized by the laid-back expression, with the effortless sequence as it ventured into unexpected keys.
The discourse in the performance was carried by the woodwinds, which was the main wind instrument to the surprise of the audience. The second movement displayed the prominence of the woodwinds with the abrupt stop of the strings 20 seconds into the performance with the introduction of the extended episode of solo bassoon, oboe, and flute. The piano then entered, beginning with a similar five-measure phrase that initiates the movement and ended similarly. This dramatic pause created a dramatic performance with the interchanging G-major and E-flat harmonic jolt. The final 2 minutes of the performance offered five variations to create a free fantasia among the audience.
In my opinion, this was the second-best piece performed. In terms of consonance, major, rhythm, dynamic contrast, and contrast in timbre, the ratings are 3, 2, 7, 8, and 7 respectively. The composition has two movements with similar names.
Inverted Birth
The third piece, Inverted Birth, was created in the year 2014 by Bill Viola. The piece lasts for almost 8.5 minutes and consists of a high-definition video projection surrounded by subwoofer stereo sound. The piece was dedicated to its performer, Norman Scott who has since passed on. The piece depicts a five-staged series of aggressive alterations. At the onset, the sound of the dripping black fluid from a man in darkness intersperses the hollow space.
As the movement increases, the dripping fluid begins to ascend upwards into a roaring torrent. The impression of anguish suddenly turns into fright as the color of the liquid changes from black to red. The liquid again changes to white to create the impression of relief and purification. In the 5th stage, a soft mist carries along with reception, arousal, and eventual birth.
In my opinion, this was the fourth-best piece performed. In terms of consonance, major, rhythm, dynamic contrast, and contrast in timbre, the ratings are 4, 3, 6, 5, and 6 respectively. The composition has five movements that do not have names.
Symphony No. 4, “Los Angeles”
The fourth piece performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic was the Symphony No. 4, “Los Angeles” composed by Arvo Part in the year 2008. The orchestration consists of strings, harp, percussion, and timpani. During the period of its composition, Part was contracting in the year 2007 to create a piece on behalf of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and he ended up with Symphony No. 4, “Los Angeles”. The symphony is solely instrumental and accents, series of syllables, and three movements to create expressive music.
In my opinion, this was the third-best piece performed. In terms of consonance, major, rhythm, dynamic contrast, and contrast in timbre, the ratings are 4, 5, 5, 6, and 5 respectively. The composition has three movements with a similar name.