Frank Martin: Polyptyque for violin and two string orchestras (1973) with score

Performers: Christian Tetzlaff (violin), Munich Chamber Orchestra
0:08 I. Image des Rameaux. Allegro non troppo ma agitato
4:23 II. Image de la Chambre haute. Andante tranquillo
11:37 III. Image de Judas. Allegro
13:43 IV. Image de Gethsémané. Molto lento
18:24 V. Image de Jugement. Largamente
22:40 VI. Image de la Glorification. Andante - Allegro moderato
From the composer:
When Yehudi Menuhin and Edmond de Stoutz asked me to write for them a concerto for violin and string orchestra I immediately had the inward conviction that after the masterpieces in this field left to us by Johann Sebastian Bach it would hardly be possible for me to do so. I thought it would be more in order to write a suite of relatively short pieces, a succession of pictures on a subject I was as yet none too sure about. It was when, in Siena, I saw a polyptych by Duccio - a set of very small panels representing the various episodes of the Passion - that the idea of attempting something of the same kind in music forced itself upon me. But music is not a representational art, and an actual representation of the scenes, just as I had been able to study them, was out of the question. The several scenes that I wished to evoke, therefore, I could only imagine in my mind, as alive as it was possible for me to do go. After that, I endeavoured to transpose into music the emotions that these scenes aroused in me.
And so, in the Image des Rameaux, I visualised a noisy crowd pressing forward to see the Lord entering Jerusalem, surrounding and acclaiming Him; I felt also the presence of Christ, whose higher consciousness rises above this tumult and knows how human and fragile this momentary glory is, and I entrusted the expression of it to the solo violin.
In the Image de la Chambre haute we have the farewell that Christ addresses to His disciples, the anguished questions put by them, and His loving replies.
The Image de Judas portrays a being full of anguish, tormented at heart; it is a picture, above all, of a soul in the grip of an obsession and finally collapsing in despair.
The Image de Gethsémané is the anguish of loneliness, the intense prayer « Let this cup pass away from me » and, finally, total acceptance: « Thy will be done ».
The Image du Jugement shows the full horror of the crowd freed from all restraint, its sadistic joy in the contemplation of suffering; and then, it is the way of the Cross.
Having arrived at this point, I felt that there was no other possible ending save an Image de la Glorification.
That is what I thought and felt in writing this Polyptyque. Whether I have succeeded in translating into music these wholly private impressions is another question: perhaps, with some people, this music will be able to help them to recreate within themselves the se pictures of the Passion; for others they will be pieces, more or less interesting, more or less successfuI, for solo violin and two string orchestras. The fact of being able to rely on the lofty personality of Yehudi Menuhin sustained me in my task, and it was with absolute confidence that I wrote the part for the two small orchestras with Edmond de Stoutz and his excellent Zurich Chamber Orchestra in mind.

[@ZewenShifu]

based Martin

[@lukaskuhlemann482]

One of my favourite composers of the last century! Please do more of his works!!

[@PM_ME_MESSIAEN_PICS]

ok, since you wanted, i can do the concerto for seven

[@lukaskuhlemann482]

@@PM_ME_MESSIAEN_PICS Probably my favourite instrumental work by him. I'd appreciate it!