From Space I Saw Earth

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From Space I Saw Earth
Orchestral composition by Daníel Bjarnason
PeriodContemporary
Composed2019
ScoringOrchestra
Premiere
DateOctober 24, 2019 (2019-10-24)
LocationWalt Disney Concert Hall
Conductor
PerformersLos Angeles Philharmonic

From Space I Saw Earth is a composition for orchestra and three conductors by the Icelandic composer Daníel Bjarnason. The piece was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and was premiered with Gustavo Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Zubin Mehta to celebrate the orchestra's centennial on October 24, 2019.

Background and composition[edit]

The Los Angeles Philharmonic has performed under its last three principal conductors – Zubin Mehta, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Gustavo Dudamel – for nearly three-fifths of its history.[1] For its Centennial Birthday Celebration Concert & Gala, the organization commissioned Daníel Bjarnason to compose a piece in which all three conductors would perform with the orchestra simultaneously.[2][3][4][5] (Mehta claims that a piece for three conductors was his idea.[1])

Daníel[a] said that From Space I Saw Earth is his third work to be inspired by the Apollo 11 Moon landing and the Space Race, and that the title is also in reference to the overview effect.[6][7] He has described the piece as "one piece of music which is running on parallel timelines that are constantly diverting, coming together and diverting again".[6][8]

The orchestra is divided into three groups, with one conductor leading each.[6] For the most part, each group is intended to work independently; each of the conductors (along with their respective groups) performs at a slightly different tempo, and an element of indeterminacy is built into the piece.[7] However, the conductors do sometimes realign with one another at fermatas in the music, after which one conductor cues the others to proceed.[1][7] Because of this, the three groups are positioned in a triangle (two toward the back of the stage, and one at the front), so that the conductors can see one another.[1][6] For the premiere, Dudamel's group, which was at the front of the stage, consisted of the orchestra's string section with one percussionist; Mehta and Salonen's groups, at the back of the stage, were each made up of a mix of woodwinds, brass, and percussion.[9]

At the end of the piece, musicians walk down the aisles playing crotales. At the premiere, this role was given to Youth Orchestra Los Angeles teachers and students.[9]

Performance and recording[edit]

From Space I Saw Earth was premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic with Dudamel, Salonen, and Mehta at their Centennial Concert on October 24, 2019.[2] On May 8, 2020, this concert was broadcast on an episode of PBS' series Great Performances.[10] A live recording of the concert was also released on DVD by Naxos.[11]

Note[edit]

  1. ^ Icelandic surnames are patronymic; it is proper to address Icelandic people by their given names, not simply by the reference to their father (here: Bjarnason).

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Swed, Mark (October 24, 2019). "3 L.A. Phil royals in one room: Dudamel, Mehta and Salonen talk, and make, history". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Centennial Birthday Celebration Concert & Gala | LA Phil | Walt Disney Concert Hall". LA Phil. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  3. ^ "Daniel Bjarnason's world premiere with Los Angeles Philharmonic". HarrisonParrott. October 18, 2019. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  4. ^ "Daníel Bjarnason". Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Archived from the original on May 28, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  5. ^ "Review: Three conductors, three concerts and more L.A. Phil history in the books". Los Angeles Times. October 29, 2019. Archived from the original on September 5, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d "One Pen, Three Batons". LA Phil. Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "'I see Earth! It is so beautiful'". HarrisonParrott. October 18, 2019. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  8. ^ "Daníel Bjarnason Archives". New Classic LA. Archived from the original on March 9, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Review: From Space I Saw Earth". sound | body | wellness. November 11, 2019. Archived from the original on May 11, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  10. ^ "Dudamel, Mehta, & Salonen Conduct Together | Great Performances | PBS". Great Performances. April 24, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  11. ^ "LA PHIL 100 - The Los Angeles Philharmonic Centennial Birthday Gala (Dudamel, Mehta, Salonen) (NTSC) - 753408". www.naxos.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
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