(b. 1932)
Nørgård is one of the most important and influential Danish composers since Carl Nielsen. In terms of originality and scope, his works are unparalleled in recent Nordic music. His experimental approach to structure led to the genesis of the infinity series; this serial system is comparable to the symmetrical formations visible in nature. Nørgård’s musical inspiration is often derived from certain aspects of the physical world, in particular natural wave phenomena. This focuses on interference between several opposing musical layers, whereby in extreme cases chaos contrasts with fundamental order. The poles of chaos and harmony are of equal importance, and the friction between them is always at the centre of Nørgård's music.
Per Nørgård Composition Timpani and Percussion Requirements
Luna
No Timpani + 1 percussion + celeste
Vibraphone, celeste
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Symphony No 4
Timpani + 5 percussion + celeste
Marimba, 2 vibraphone, tubular bells, C4 to C6 tuned cowbells, 2 guiros, 4 suspended cymbals, 2 flexatones, clash cymbals, temple blocks, 2 snare drums, 6 tom toms, 23 gongs, tam tam, 2 octaves crotales, car horn
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Symphony No 5
Timpani + 6 percussion + celeste
Castanets, 4 Chinese tom toms, tubular bells, 4 cowbells (Bb3, Db4, Gb4, Bb4), coins, 2 octaves crotales, congas, 2 suspended cymbals, flexatone, orchestral bass drum, 7 Thai gongs B2, C#3, F3, G#3, B3, E4, F#4, keyboard glockenspiel, lion's roar, 2 metal pieces, mouth siren, 2 Peking opera block, 2 Peking opera gongs, 2 sleigh bells, snare drum, steel pan, slit drum, 2 swanee whistles, triangle, tambourine, 4 tom toms, 2 tam tams, xylophone, whip, 4 wood blocks, celeste
Instrument combinations
a) suspended cymbal, 2 Chinese blocks, tom tom
b) mark tree, marimba, vibraphone
c) 2 dog's whistles to be blown simultaneously
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