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Technical Notice
| Classical Composer: | Indy, Vincent d' |
|---|---|
| Work: | Istar, Op. 42 |
| Year Composed: | 1896 |
| Instrumentation: | 3[1.2.P] 3[1.2.EH] 3[1.2.B] 3 - 5 3 3 1 - T+2P - 2Hp - 14.12.10.8.7 Perc: Cymbals a2, Triangle |
| Publishers: |
Éditions Durand The Edwin A. Fleisher Music Collection Manuscript |
| Duration: | 00:13:05 |
| Period: | 20th Century |
| Work Category: | Orchestral |
Work Information
Available Recording(s)
Istar, Op. 42 was dedicated to the Societe symphonique des concerts Ysaÿe, and premiered in Brussels on 10th January 1897. These 'Variations symphoniques' are based on an episode in the ancient Assyrian epic poem Izdubar: to release her lover held captive in the Underworld, the Goddess Istar must remove one of her garments at each of the Seven Doors of the Dark Abode until she eventually passes through the Seventh Door. D'Indy reflects this narrative through a set of orchestral variations in reverse order, beginning with the most complex (Istar fully clothed) and ending with the theme itself to represent the Goddess in her full nakedness. The introduction presents two contrasting ideas which recur during the course of the variations to mark Istar's progress through the succession of doors: a 'Summons' motif in the solo horn and a subtle descending and ascending march melody in the woodwind and strings. After various permutations of this material through the following variations, the theme itself finally emerges in full, unadorned yet majestic in its unison texture, before the march melody returns to mark the end of the deity's journey.
Writer: Dominic Wells
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