Score
Descent : Metropolis: the workers' view, for film projection and orchestra / Carl Vine.
Library shelf no. 784.2/VIN 3 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
To close their 1996 "Metropolis" concert season, the Melbourne
Symphony Orchestra asked me to create a musical event that
incorporated elements of Fritz Lang's classic silent film. The
film details a massive city of the future ruled by an elite
master-class but fuelled by the down-trodden and mistreated
Workers living deep beneath the surface. By eliminating all
reference to the 'rulers' and with some ruthless editing, I was
able to reduce the two hour original to an 11 minute film that is
Metropolis seen solely "from the Workers' viewpoint".
Just as in the original, events in the Workers' lives occur
without much logic or consistency, and when they revolt against
their tyrannical oppression the result seems even more mindless
and destructive for not seeing the brutality which has caused
it.
Having devised the film edit "on paper", I then wrote music to
accompany the theoretical scenario. A synthesized version of the
music was then used to create the final edit, with the film being
cut to match the music. A click-track was added to the film so a
conductor could coordinate the orchestra to the film projected
during a concert performance.
The finished work is called Descent not just because the Workers
live deep beneath the city, but also because of the relentless
darkness of their lives. Their one ray of light turns out to be a
chimera, and the only time in their lives they rise to the
surface of the city it is with the sole intention of destroying
everything in their path. Although their journey is one of
ascension, as they near their goal they are overtaken by the
lowest human instincts of anger, hate and retribution. As their
bodies rise, their spirits are in hopeless descent.
Work Details
Year: 1996
Instrumentation: 2 flutes (2nd doubling alto flute and piccolo), 2 oboes (2nd doubling cor anglais), 2 clarinets in B flat (2nd doubling bass clarinet), bassoon, contra-bassoon, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in C, tenor trombone, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (3 players), harp, strings.
Duration: 11 min.
Difficulty: Advanced — Professional.
Commission note: Commissioned by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
First performance: by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, David Stanhope — 28 Nov 96. Melbourne Town hall
Subjects
- In the form/style of: Film & TV Music
Performances of this work
28 Nov 96: Melbourne Town hall. Featuring Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, David Stanhope.
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