TRISTIUM
TRISTIUM for string orchestra
The element of water in strings’ monochrome
TRISTIUM, a triptych for strings by Svyatoslav Lunyov, was created in 2004. It is one of the most significant pieces of the composer. The title itself contains allusions to different sources. The first and the most central – Tristias – the five books of letters, composed by Ovid during his exile from Rome. The same title has a poetry book by Osip Mandelshtam. And also the name of Tristan is associated with Latin tristia – sad.
The main idea emphasis has the first part of the triptych. It is an endless canon, that descends from Ukrainian song Реве та стогне (The Mighty Dnieper by T.Shevchenko) and describes the flowing, gradually widening river.
The element of water in strings’ monochrome.
Inconstancy of time – oblivion – eternity.
First performance: Kyiv Chamber orchestra, conductor – Roman Kofman (2008)
Instrumentation: str
Duration: 25′