compositions

Itaipú

A symphonic portrait for chorus and orchestra in four movements

1989

38′

Music by Philip Glass.

CAST:
SATB chorus; 2.pic.3.3.2.dbsn/ 6.4.2.btrb.1/ 4 perc (SD, TD, BD, tamb, t.bells, cow bells, maracas, tgl, wdbl, cym)/ 2hp/ pf/ str

COMMISSION:
Commissioned anonymously for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

PREMIERE:
November 2, 1989 by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Shaw

SYNOPSIS:
A Symphonic portrait for Chorus and Orchestra in four movements: Mato Grosso – The Lake – The Dam – To the Sea. Text: Creation myth of the Guarani (sung in traditional Guarani).

NOTES:
Like The Light and The Canyon, Itaipú originated as Glass’ response both to nature and to a modern technological wonder, in this case the massive hydro-electric dam (…) that was then taking shape at Itaip� on the Parana River, which forms the border between Brazil and Paraguay. (…) While the music itself hymns the wonder wrought by nature and by humankind, the exotic text recounts the creation of the world, the actions of the gods and how the first people came to this special place.

— Nick Jones

PUBLISHER:
Dunvagen Music Publishers

AVAILABLE SCORES
Itaipú at Wise Music Classical

RELATED RECORDINGS
Glass Masters on Sony Masterworks
Glass / Salonen on RCM
Itaipú/ The Canyon on Sony Masterworks
Obras Maestras / Oeuvres Majeures on Sony

CATEGORIES
Orchestral, Choral, Opera