To melody, or not to melody, that is the question with Helmut Lachenmann
Judging by his music, you would think that German composer Helmut Lachenmann (1935, photo) isn’t in for a laugh, but don’t let your ears deceive you. He can be surprisingly witty, as you might gather from the title of his most recent major piece My Melodies. The entire piece – which lasts 45 minutes and was written for eight horns and a large symphony orchestra – contains not even a trace of a traditional melody.
With his Six Melodies, American composer John Cage took a different approach. The melodies – played by a violinist – are completely separate from the piano accompaniment, yet the listener has no choice but to relate the parts to each other, resulting in truly enchanting ‘phantom harmonies’.
Playlist
- Helmut Lachenmann – My Melodies
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Matthias Hermann - John Cage – Six Melodies
Irvine Arditti , violin / Stephen Drury, piano
