Albert Schnelzer
Aksak and Ciphers
for string orchestra
SCORE
Albert Schnelzer
Aksak and Ciphers
for string orchestra
2023
SCORE
INSTRUMENTATION
Strings
I. Râčenica (ca. 6'00") 3
II. Lamento (ca. 4'30") . .
III. Scherzo (ca. 4'30")
Programme note
21
24
In Ottoman musical theory, Aksak is a rhythmic system in which pieces or sequences are based on the alteration of 2 and 3, as in 2+3, 2+2+3, etc. The name literally means “limping” or “stumbling” and is very common in Turkish and Balkan folk music. Johannes Brahms is well known for his use of eastern folk music in his compositions (Hungarian Dances for instance) and was also keen on experimenting with rhythm and syncopations. This piece consists of three different movements that all are inspired by folk music but also Brahms’ compositional techniques. The first movement Râčenica is a fast and energetic dance in 7/16-metre and is a very common dance in Bulgaria. The second movement, Lamento is a slow and melancholic song in 5/4. The last Scherzo is a playful and light dance in 5/8 with transparent textures and unpredictable changes in rhythm and harmony.
The use of musical cryptograms or ciphers was also something that Brahms tried out on several occasions. In the first movement I have used one of the methods for musical ciphers and the entire movement is based on the motif B-(r)-a-h-(m)-s. Translated to notes this becomes in German B-A-H-Es (English: Bb-A-B-Eb). There is also the French System for generating cryptograms and in the second and third movement I have used this system. In the slow Lamento the main theme consists of the names of my wife and children (Anna, Amanda and Marcus) and the main motif in the last movement is no other than Brahms’ closest friend, Clara Schumann.
Albert Schnelzer
Also available:
Aksak and Ciphers for string quartet
Score: GE 14636 | Parts: GE 14637
Aksak and Ciphers for string sextet
Score: GE 14485 | Parts: GE 14486
Aksak and Ciphers for chamber orchestra (0201-2000-0-0-str)
Score: GE 14490 | Study score: GE 14492 | Parts available on hire
Duration: ca. 15 min
Initiator and main commissioner
O/Modernt
Co-commissioners
Musik i Uppland for Uppsala kammarsolister
Musik i Dalarna for Dalasinfoniettan
Rusk Chamber Music in Jakobstad
World premiere 15 June 2023; Confidencen, Stockholm – as part of Festival O/Modernt O/Modernt Chamber Orchestra, cond. Hugo Ticciati
ISMN 979-0-070-14487-2
Score: GE 14487 | Study score: GE 14489 | Parts available on hire
Copyright © 2023 Gehrmans Musikförlag AB, Stockholm
Stema Specialtryck, Borås | AS/MM 2025
Aksak and Ciphers
for string orchestra
I. Râčenica
Albert Schnelzer (2023)
Vln. I)
Vln. II)
Adagio molto calmo e melanconico.
II. Lamento
= 66
Cello
Moderato e leggiero.
III. Scherzo
Double
D.B.
(Solo Vc.)
(gli altri)
Stretto
Works by Albert Schnelzer
available at Gehrmans Musikförlag Orchestra
• Aksak and Ciphers, for string/chamber orchestra (2023)
• Azraeel Suite, for winds and percussion (2008/2022)
• Through the Eye of the Pegasus, for orchestra (2021)
• Min själ var en ljusblå dräkt: three songs for soprano and chamber orchestra to words by Edith Södergran (2004/2021)
• Burn My Letters: Remembering Clara, for orchestra (2019)
• Apollonian Dances, for string orchestra and percussion (2003/2019)
• Piano Concerto: This Is Your Kingdom, for piano and orchestra (2018)
• Violin Concerto No. 2: Nocturnal Songs, for violin and orchestra (2018)
• Emperor Akbar, for chamber orchestra (2009/18)
• Bulletproof, for large orchestra (2016)
• Magical Allusions, for oboe and small orchestra (2015)
• Clarinet Concerto: But Your Angel’s On Holiday (2015)
• Brain Damage: Concerto for Orchestra (2014)
• Animal Songs: five songs for soprano and orchestra to words by Margaret Atwood (2013)
• Tales from Suburbia, for large orchestra (2012)
• Violin Concerto: Coupled Airs, for violin and orchestra (2011)
• Cello Concerto: Crazy Diamond, for cello and orchestra (2010)
• Emperor Akbar, for string orchestra (2009/10)
• Oboe Concerto: The Enchanter, for oboe and orchestra (2009)
• A Freak in Burbank, for orchestra (2008/09)
• Azraeel Suite, for symphonic wind band (2008)
• Symphony No. 1: Azraeel, for chamber orchestra (2007)
• Bassoon Concerto: Auroral Dances, for bassoon and orchestra (2006)
Chamber Music
• Aksak and Ciphers, for string sextet (2023)
• I Remember River Clear, for horn and piano (2022)
• Playground, for solo piano (2021)
• Apollonian Dances, for string quartet and percussion (2003/2016)
• Aqua Songs, for piano quintet (2015)
• Into Thin Air, for clarinet and piano (2013)
• Con Forza, for brass quintet (2010)
• String Quartet No. 2: Emperor Akbar, for string quartet (2009)
• String Quartet No. 1: The Devil in the Belfry, for string quartet (2008)
• Lamento for the Naughty Children under the Second Umbrella, for violin, clarinet, cello and prepared piano (2004)
• Requiem, for soprano and piano (2004)
• Apollonian Dances, for violin and piano (2003)
• Predatory Dances, for violin, cello and piano (2003)
• Frozen Landscape, for cello/violin and piano (2002)
• Wolfgang is Dancing!, for violin, clarinet and cello (2002)
• Dance with the Devil, for solo piano (2000)
• Solitude, for solo violin/cello (1999)
Opera/Oratorio
• Salt, oratorio for soprano, baritone, choir and orchestra (2020)
• Norrmalmstorgsdramat: att dö på sin post, opera for five singers and chamber ensemble (2017)
For more information: www.gehrmans.se