| Turbulence
(Symphony)
This was originally a Violin Concerto by Dr. L. Subramaniam in three
movements, commissioned and premiered by the Swiss Romande Orchestra
for the India Festival in Geneva in 1987. It was adapted by the composer
to the Symphony form and was recorded with the Brandenburg Symphony
in 2006.
The first movement starts with an introduction of the eight bar theme
by the Viola, Violoncello and Contrabass, joined in repetition by the
violins and bassoon. The romantic theme is in Karaharapriya, one of
the seventy-two parent scales or ragas in Karnatic (South Indian) Classical
Music (this raga corresponds to Dorian mode). It is followed by a turbulent
section with the theme reintroduced in a different key and goes through
a transition to introduce the second theme, also in Dorian mode. This
is followed by a developmental section with a trade off starting in
a 10/16 rhythmic cycle, followed by 12/16 leading to a 4/4 rhythmic
cycle with the reintroduction of the second theme followed by the recapitulation
section in 6/8. The first movement ends with a turbulent climax by the
entire orchestra.
The second movement is based on a very old traditional Karnatic parent
scale, Mayamalavagowla. It begins with the harp and strings creating
a mystical and meditative mood. It contains a beautiful lyrical melody
introduced by the Cor Anglais solo and joined in repetition by the violoncello
and flute. This continues with a typical traditional Tanam section in
Karnatic style, which means little rhythmic motifs played the strings
section and leads to a cadential ending with the motif repeating three
times and goes to the recapitulation section.
The third movement starts with an eight bar theme in a pentatonic scale,
which is commonly used in Indian music and can also be heard in Indonesian
music. It is introduced by the violins. This is followed by the developmental
section where the same melody is played simultaneously in three different
speeds creating a complex rhythmic and beautiful harmonic pattern. It
leads to a trade off by the woodwinds and strings and brass in different
rhythmic cycles with the motifs of the trade off getting shorter and
shorter until it becomes two sixteenth notes followed by the brass and
woodwinds playing the original theme from the first movement with the
strings playing turbulent patterns to support the theme and create a
complex effect leading to the climatic ending.
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