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LIGETI Poeme Symphonique For 100 Metronomes (Score)
LIGETI Poeme Symphonique For 100 Metronomes (Score)
"Poeme Symphonique" (for 100 metronomes) requires, as its primary condition for
performance, 100 metronomes.
Their acquisition may be accomplished in several ways. For example, they may be
borrowed from one or more music instrument firms. (When the pertinent special shops
are not to be found on the spot, it is recommended that inquiry be made to this end
at so-called music dealers). For the purpose of attaining the desired result (i.e.,
the permission to borrow), some comments may be useful with regard to the value of
the advertising to the firm, gained through its readiness to loan. In this
connection one may offer to print the name(s) of the firm(s) on the concert poster,
in the programme book or on a placard to be placed on the stage, or one or another
combination of the listed possibilities. If necessary, the announcement may take
the form of verbal communication, either by itself or as a means of following up
the printed announcement.
Another way to bring about the acquisition of the metronomes is the insert
advertisements in the newspapers. In this case all private persons will be invited
to be so generous as to make temporarily available the metronomes in their
possession for use in the performance. In cities which have their own music
schools*, this request can be made directly to the teaching staff or the student
body, with the assistance of the customary media of communication. In the two last-
named instances it is recommended that the owners of the required instruments be
asked to put some means of identification on them, to prevent their being misplaced
or mixed up. This can be achieved, for example, through the obligatory affixing of
the owner's name by means of a suitable strip of paper**.
Should it happen that a Maecenas makes it possible to borrow the metronomes for the
purpose of performance, his name- after consultation with the person in question-
shall be made public.*** The composition is provided with a passe-partout
dedication: on each occasion the work is dedicated to the person (or persons) who
have helped to bring about the performance through the contribution of instruments,
by any means whatsoever, whether it be executive council of a city, one or more of
the music schools****, one or more businesses, one or more private persons. If a
patron can be found who will remove once for all the financial hindrances to the
performability of the work by buying the necessary metronomes and guaranteeing the
transportation costs which arise from time to time, "Poeme Symphonique" will be
dedicated from then on to him alone.
The conductor arranges with the players beforehand the method and the degree of
winding.
The performance may be considered ideal, if
a) in the first version all the metronomes
b) in the second version the first metronome of each group
is(are) completely wound.
The ideal manner of performance is the obligatory one. Non-ideal performances are
only permitted if weighty reasons are present which force the occurrence of a
deviation from the ideal performance, such as the playing of a shortened version of
the work. In this unwelcome case the conductor must set, with the performers, the
number of turns for (1) all the metronomes or (2) the first of each group,
according to whether the first or second version is being played. The winding-up
and the regulation of the oscillation speeds (the setting of the metronome number)
must be done ceremoniously and formally. At the conclusion of this preparatory
activity comes a motionless silence of 2-6 minutes, the length of which is to be
left to the discretion of the conductor. At a sign from the conductor*******, all
the metronomes are set in motion by the players. To carry out this action as
quickly as possible, it is recommended that several fingers of each hand be used at
the same time. With a sufficient amount of practise, the performers will find that
they can set 4 to 6 instruments in motion simultaneously. As soon as the metronomes
have been started in this fashion, the players absent themselves as quietly as
possible******** from the stage, led by the conductor, leaving the metronomes to
their own devices.
"Poeme Symphonique" is considered as ended when the last metronome has run down. It
is up to the conductor to decide when the last metronome has run down. It is up to
the conductor to decide the duration of the pause, before he leads the players back
on to the stage to receive the thanks due from the public.