Johan Ullén
Infinite Bach
for solo violin, string orchestra and harpsichord/synthesizer
Johan Ullén
Infinite Bach
for solo violin, string orchestra and harpsichord/synthesizer
INSTRUMENTATION
Solo violin
Strings
Harpsichord/Synthesizer (one player)
The employed sound of the synthesizer is “slow strings”, this means that a lush, full and cinematic string orchestra sound is preferred. The amplification should be placed next to the keyboardist (unless the whole ensemble is amplified).
In the first movement of the G minor Concerto, the harpsichord is instructed to only use 4' and 2' registration, in the opening section (up until bar 36) as well as the closing section (from bar 134 to the end). This results in only the octave above sounding, as well as the octave above that (and not the actual note being played). This type of registration is usually not available on normal, newly built, baroque style harpsichords. It is only possible on older, 1950s–60s, harpsichords and some variants of digital harpsichords. If that is not available, the harpsichordist should, for these two passages in this movement, employ a harpsichord sound on the synthesizer instead, and play these passages one octave higher than notated. For the middle section of the movement (bars 37–113), the registration is back to the normal 8', and should be performed on a regular harpsichord in the notated register.
Created at the initiative of Christian Svarfvar for a reimagined version of J.S. Bach’s violin concertos.
Duration: ca. 60 min
World premiere 16 November 2016; The Royal Chapel, The Royal Palace, Stockholm
Christian Svarfvar, soloist
Stockholms Solister (the composer at the harpsichord)
Maria Eklund, conductor
CD recording 2020, Abbey Road Studios
Christian Svarfvar, soloist and director
London Philharmonic Orchestra (the composer at the harpsichord)
Label: Rubicon
ISMN 979-0-070-14242-7
Score: GE 14242 Solo violin: GE 14243 Study score: GE 14244 Parts available on hire
Copyright © 2021 Gehrmans Musikförlag AB, Stockholm
Stema Specialtryck, Borås JU/MM 2025
Violin