Keqrops (Greek: Κέκροψ, also incorrectly entitled by the composer Κεqροψ, which can be translated as weaving) is a composition for piano and orchestra by Greek/French composer Iannis Xenakis. Due to the prominent role of the piano soloist, it has often been classified as a piano concerto. It was completed in 1986.
According to the composer, the title of the composition, as most of his other works, is a compound from other Greek words and roots: krekoo (Ancient Greek: κρικόω, "to close or connect by using a "κρίκος" [ring]) and opsis (Ancient Greek: ὄψις, "appearance, sight, vision"). Xenakis translated the title as weaving. However, Xenakis gave the title a second meaning. He also refers to the legend from the Mycenaean era of Cecrops I, originally from Sais in Egypt, who, in a reign of 50 years, introduced civilization into Attica, fortified the Acropolis of Athens and divided the people into four tribes.[3]
Structure
The composition is in one movement and takes approximately 16 minutes to perform. It is scored for a solo piano and a large orchestra consisting of four flutes, four oboes, four clarinets in B-flat, four bassoons, four French horns in F, four trumpets in C, four trombones, one tuba, one harp, timpani, a percussion section consisting of two bongos, three tom-toms and one bass drum and a large string section consisting of sixteen first violins, fourteen second violins, twelve violas, ten cellos and eight double basses. The instruments are not allowed to play vibrato along the whole composition. The tempo of the composition is ♩ ≙ 48 mm, as marked in the score.[3]
In this piece, the piano and the three families of the orchestra (that is, strings, woodwind and brass) are equal strands of the whole composition. Unlike a typical piano concerto, the structure of the composition does not have ritornello segments or dialogue between the orchestra and the solo piano. Xenakis used large tone clusters. In some instances, entire melodic phrases are played as "cluster lines", with players taking the same melody one semi-tone apart from their neighbour.[4]
Reception
In a review for Tempo, Nouritza Matossian praised the work's "glistening sonorities and brilliant and transparent colours," and commented: "I have never heard a work from Xenakis which so strongly asserted its own entity from beginning to end. The moment it was finished I wanted to hear it again."[5]
References
^Woodward, Roger (2010). "Conquering Goliath: Preparing and Performing Xenakis' Keqrops". In Kanach, Sharon (ed.). Performing Xenakis. Pendragon. pp. 129–155. ISBN9781576471913.
^Simeone, Nigel (2013). "Music that is Luminous for the Eyes and Sonorous for the Ears" (Liner Notes of Iannis Xenakis - Synaphaï (Decca 478 5430)). London: Decca Music Group Limited. p. 3.
