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Color Music (Torke)

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1264: 1290: 1302: 401:, the composition is in E. However, according to the composer, the "static material", that is, the tonal center of the composition gravitates towards a six note melody, G#-A-D-C#-B-E, which is never varied or transformed, but rather put in different context. The rhythmic pulse of the composition is based on a constant, insisting line formed by 603:
This is the longest composition in the set, taking approximately 15 minutes to perform. It is scored for an orchestra which consists of a flute, two oboes, a clarinet in B-flat, two bassoons, three horns in F, a trumpet in B-flat, timpani, a set of strings and a synthesizer. Torke clarifies that the
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The composition is in F minor, and is the only composition in the set which modulates to another key. In this case, given its overt neoclassical nature, it modulates to A-flat major in some instances, only to return to F minor shortly after. In this case, color is not a preoccupation of Torke and it
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on June 11, 1987. It is the shortest composition in the set, lasting around six minutes. Scored for three flutes, two oboes, an English horn, two clarinets in A, one bass clarinet in B-flat, two bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, timpani, a harp, a piano, a string section
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Even though Torke wrote many more pieces with color titles, the suite consists only of five compositions, written between 1984 and 1988. The order of the movements in this suite has not been established, as the compositions were originally conceived separately, and have not been published together.
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This composition takes approximately 11 minutes to perform, and is score for piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets in B-flat, two bassoons, four horns in F, a trumpet in D, two trumpets in B-flat, three trombones, a tuba, a piano, four timpani, a whole set of strings and a large percussion
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In this disposition, Torke associates E major, which is the invariable key of this composition, to the green color. The melody is a simple consecution of the notes F#-A-D#-E-B. This melody is maintained without changed, in different context, but always conveying the same idea. The tempo is much
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The composition takes approximately 9 minutes to perform, and is scored for three flutes, two oboes, two clarinets in B-flat, two bassoons, four horns in F, three trumpets in C, three trombones, a tuba, timpani, a piano, a harp, a string section and a large percussion section, which takes four
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section. Along the piece, color headings appear in the score, entitled "Absinthe", "Apricot, "Terra Cotta", "Unripe Pumpkin", "Copper", etc. These headings refer to the different shades of orange experienced by the composer. As all the movements in this suite, this composition is monothematic.
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The composition takes around 12 minutes to perform and is scored for three flutes, two oboes, and English horn, two clarinets, a bass clarinet in B-flat, two bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, a tuba, timpani, a string section and a percussion section, which takes three
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Certain musical ideas make me think of colors. This personal synesthesia contributed its own vibrancy to my attitude towards the material. In the end, different shades of paint splash around the orchestral forces, but it is always some hue of
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The composer associates the key of this composition, which is D major, to the blue color since he was five years old. Rhythmically, this composition is based on sixteenth notes, as his previous compositions
474: 296:, he decided to start an early series of compositions "to celebrate without modulation a single color". As Torke himself puts it in the original program note for 596:, on February 3, 1989. Given that the commissioner was a chamber orchestra, this is the only piece in the set that does not require a large orchestra. 612:
The different compositions have been well received by critics. The use of a post-minimalist style has been praised in virtually all the compositions.
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label is merely a name to refer to the compositions included in it, and has been used in recordings, but not in its original publishing house,
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synthesizer's timbre is flexible, although a bass sound with a percussive edge, buzz and reinforced pitch is recommended.
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is monothematic and highlights the brass, which give importance to the syncopating character of the piece.
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This composition was originally composed between June 1984 and February 1985 under the commission of
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This composition was composed between July 18 and September 1, 1985 and was commissioned by the
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Colourful Exuberance (Liner Notes in Michael Torke - Color Music 4784580)
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The list of compositions, sorted by year of composition, is as follows:
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and was premiered on May 16, 1985. The premiere was carried out by the
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does not have an important role, as it did in the other movements.
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When Michael Torke was studying musical composition in
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and a percussion section taking three percussionists,
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faster than in the previous movements. As opposed to
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Gard Wisconsin Idea Foundation 1058: 718:"Michael Torke Ecstatic Orange, ballet" 1315: 664:"Ecstatic Orange for orchestra (1985)" 99: – 1 September 1985 16:Suite of compositions by Michael Torke 1097: 1052: 977:"Torke, Michael: Purplefor orchestra" 869:"Torke, Michael: Green for orchestra" 412: 1338:Contemporary classical compositions 892:"Michael Torke Green for orchestra" 13: 1333:Compositions for chamber orchestra 359: 14: 1369: 1123: 1073: 1034:"Michael Torke Ash for orchestra" 1000: 974: 916: 866: 832: 779: 745: 692: 661: 1300: 1288: 1263: 1262: 1009:. Michael Torke. Archived from 925:. Michael Torke. Archived from 841:. Michael Torke. Archived from 754:. Michael Torke. Archived from 670:. Michael Torke. Archived from 485:, on November 20, 1986, in the 477:and was first performed by the 950:"Michael Torke Purple, ballet" 637:, 1991 ballet by Peter Martins 146: – December 1988 78: – February 1985 1: 1323:Compositions by Michael Torke 919:"Purple for orchestra (1987)" 641: 545:Orchestra under the baton of 287: 268:is a suite of five different 835:"Green for orchestra (1986)" 607: 479:Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra 397:According to musical critic 322: 7: 615: 10: 1374: 1328:Compositions for orchestra 1032:Lindemann Malone, Andrew. 948:Lindemann Malone, Andrew. 890:Lindemann Malone, Andrew. 803:Lindemann Malone, Andrew. 716:Lindemann Malone, Andrew. 590:St. Paul Chamber Orchestra 576:with the support from the 574:St. Paul Chamber Orchestra 197:20 November 1986 181:23 November 1985 44:Movement IV: F-sharp major 1258: 1239:L'incoronazione di Poppea 1230: 1140: 1131: 516: 253: 245: 229:3 February 1989 159: 64: 50: 34: 26: 21: 1184:Ballets to Torke's music 473:was commissioned by the 458: 346:Bright Blue Music (1985) 1059:Simeone, Nigel (2012). 421:New York Youth Symphony 565: 551:New York State Theatre 343:Ecstasic Orange (1985) 320: 213:11 June 1987 91:18 July 1985 594:John Adams (composer) 541:was premiered by the 529:, which included the 481:, under the baton of 390:. 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Index

Michael Torke
Neoclassical music
Post-minimalism
compositions
orchestra
Michael Torke
synesthesia
Yale University
Michael Torke
Boosey and Hawkes
ASCAP
Meet the Composer
Brooklyn Philharmonic
Lukas Foss
Copper Union
New York City
Beth Roberts
Andrew Porter
sixteenth notes
New York Youth Symphony
David Alan Miller
Carnegie Hall
New York City
Boosey and Hawkes
Robert E. Gard Wisconsin Idea Foundation
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Lukas Foss
Uihlein Hall
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Ecstatic Orange

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