Music for Orchestra

Instrumentation

2222 4220 t,p(2),str

Year

1956

Duration

6:24

Composed

10/1/1956 - 10/1/1956

Commission

Columbia University Orchestra

The piece is constructed on two ideas, wholly non-harmonic orchestral sonorities, and continual pitch variations brought about by the use of glissandi [slidings in pitch].  The sonorities constitute the first and last sections of the composition, and the glissandi the middle section.  The two contrasting ideas (one static the other fluctuating) are integrated by references to both of them in each of the three sections.  In addition the piece is put together with a psychological purpose in mind –the building up of tension and frustration in the hearer, which is partially released at one point, but actually heightened by not being totally dispersed.

Charlkes Wuorinen, 1956