2021; dur: 18'; Tbn solo and small or full orchestra; Both scores at Wise Music ClassicalWatch the premiere of Considering Icarus, this version for small orchestra, performed by SWR Symphonieorchester. Soloist is Stephen Menotti. Conducted by Brad Lubman. First performed at Donaueschinger Musiktage Oct. 14, 2021.
Listen to NRK radio’s broadcast here of the second premiere of Considering Icarus for full orchestra with soloist Karoline Trondsen and Trondheim Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jonathan Bloxham, from a concert in Olavshallen, Trondheim March 2, 2023.
Myths and fairy tales have always inspired other art forms, and countless are the works with the fascinating story of poor Icarus. Drawn to the tragedy, for sure, but in my orchestral interpretation of the myth I was looking for a view on the beauty of the attempt, the overwhelming attempt to reach for the impossible. William Butler Yeats wrote in 1931 a famous poem titled To a Friend Whose Work has Come to Nothing. In 1960, the American poet Anne Sexton answered this with her poem To a Friend Whose Work has Come to Triumph, as a part of her first published work, Bedlam and Part Way Back. rather cherishing the beauty of the attempt instead of grieving the failure and fatal outcome of Icarus’ flight. So is the music and the trombone soloist’s role here: courageous, brave and life inspiring. Icarus’ fall is of less importance, this piece is cherishing life and the impossible.
To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Triumph
Consider Icarus, pasting those sticky wings on,
testing that strange little tug at his shoulder blade,
and think of that first flawless moment over the lawn
of the labyrinth. Think of the difference it made!
There below are the trees, as awkward as camels;
and here are the shocked starlings pumping past
and think of innocent Icarus who is doing quite well.
Larger than a sail, over the fog and the blast
of the plushy ocean, he goes. Admire his wings!
Feel the fire at his neck and see how casually
he glances up and is caught, wondrously tunneling
into that hot eye. Who cares that he fell back to the sea?
See him acclaiming the sun and come plunging down
while his sensible daddy goes straight into town.
(With kind permission of Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company)
Some reviews (in Norwegian):
“Vinneren av Årets verk – Klassisk-/samtidsmusikk har skrevet et solid verk som viser trombonen i et nytt lys. Hun utforsker trombonens muligheter til å spille overtoner over grunntoner som langsomt endrer seg og som speiles i orkesterteksturen på en meget variert måte. Slik skapes en fornemmelse av Ikaros’ flygning. Verket har en fargerik orkestrering som utforsker spennende klangpaletter. Komponisten benytter også utvidede spilleteknikker i orkesterinstrumentene, og demonstrerer at hun har god oversikt over hvilken klanglig effekt disse gir i helheten. Dette verket er en nyskapende trombonekonsert som kan bli et sentralt verk i samtidsmusikkrepertoaret, og som fortjener flere fremføringer.” Musikkforleggerprisen 2022, Juryens begrunnelse
“(…)Jeg er helt enig med Musikkforleggerprisens jury når det gjelder hvordan Ratkje gir oss et helt nytt møte med trombonen som instrument. Takket være den eminente solisten Karoline Trondsen som briljerer og bærer hele verket i samarbeid med TSO er det sa utrolig konkret hvordan Icarus faller og faller. Denne ærgjerrige typen fra gresk mytologi som har blitt selve symbolet på hybris kommer sterkt til uttrykk gjennom Ratkjes komposisjon.
Trondsen spiller rollen som Icarus. Han forsoker å fly, men kommer for nært sola og vingene tar fyr slik at han faller, faller og faller i døden. Tonene er så tydelige, og Trondsen som en klippe. Samtidig må det nevnes at hele orkestret i dirigent Jonathan Bloxhams ledelse er sieldent samkjørte(…)” Maria Veie Sandvik, Adresseavisen 04.03.23
