Dies Irae - Day of Wrath
o p e r a   p i c t u r a

The work is in four parts and written for symphony orchestra, male choir and alto solo. The total duration is approximately 25 minutes.

One of the spiritual influences of this composition is the medieval Dies Irae - melody and accompanying text, used previously by many famous composers. This melody and the original text appear however only allusively, otherwise the thematic material is the composers own. In part I the Dies Irae text is expressed as a morse-code rhythm played by wind instruments and in part II the Dies Irae melody is used as a clearly defined citation in transitional passages of the male choir texture.

The text is taken from chapter 20 of the Revelations, Final Destruction of Satan, which is sung by the choir and at the end of the work from the opening words of Genesis, sung by the alto soloist. The composition has its origin in an intense intuitive feeling opposing war, anarchy, terrorism and man's unbounded hatred. The over-all mood of the work is somber in parts I (Dies Irae), II ('Till The Thousand Years were Over) and III ( Final Destruction of Satan), but part IV (Genesis) is marked by tentative hope as expressed in the alto solo part.

The nature of the composition is pluralistic or postmodern and thus incorporating various musical techniques and styles. The majority of the work is "free-tonalistic"and one central characteristic is the use of broad tone fields on the strings. At the moment the work is available only as a demonstration version produced on a sound modulator, corresponding only allusively to the original score. The orchestral score for the first part of the composition is available in A3 size copies from the composer. Parts II and III exist as broad orchestral outlines awaiting transcription. Part IV thematic material is ready.

Dies irae instrumentation - Strumenti dell' orchestra:

Piccolo
2 Flauti
2 Oboi
Corno inglese
2 Clarinetti in B (Si b)
Clarinetto basso in B (Si b)
3 Fagotti (III Contrafagotto)

4 Corni F (Fa)
3 Trombe
3 Tromboni
Tuba

Timpani
Tuono a pugno
Piatti
Gran cassa
Campane tubolari
Campanelli
Marimba

Alto solo
Choro Bassi (40-80)

Violini I (14-18-24 )
Violini II (12-16-18)
Viole (10-15-15)
Violoncelli (8-12-14)
Contrabassi (8-10-12)