Aufgang

Aufgang (Ascent) is a violin concerto written by the French composer Pascal Dusapin for Renaud Capuçon between 2008 and 2011. The violinist premièred it in 2013 in Cologne.[1] He subsequently performed it in Seattle, London and in Switzerland,[2] before recording it with Myung-whun Chung conducting the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France in 2015.[1]

Since its première, the concerto has been taken up by other soloists, notably Viktoria Mullova [3] and Carolin Widmann.[4]

Overview

Dusapin started writing Aufgang in 2008 but set it aside after a while. A meeting with Capuçon some time later inspired him to pick it up again and finish it in 2011.[1] The work can be seen as a struggle between emerging light (the violin) and menacing shadows (the orchestra).[1][5] Indeed, according to the composer, "the conflict between darkness and dazzlement becomes the driving force" in the concerto.[6]

It follows the traditional three-movement concerto structure and lasts about 30 minutes.[5]

The piece starts with the violin playing in the extremely high register, in striking contrast with the accompanying low cellos and double basses. Tension increasingly grows as the music progresses and more instruments intervene.[1][5][7] The second movement is the longest of the three. Here, the soloist is joined by a quasi-ritualistic flute and the two enter into dialogue.[5][7] Finally, the brief last movement sees the violin fleeing back to the highest register above wild orchestral outbursts.[8]

Reception

Aufgang been described as "a wonderfully coherent work of irresistible sweep" that provides "real substance"[5] and "was composed by Dusapin with enormous finesse".[7]

Discography

References
  1. Musicweb-international CD Review, Michael Cookson, December 2016
  2. Pascal Dusapin’s Music Tests Mind and Body, The New York Times, Rebecca Schmid, December 22, 2014
  3. Interview with Renaud Capuçon, Cadences.fr, Laurent Vilarem, January 2015
  4. All about Pascal Dusapin, Universal Music Publishing Classical, January 5, 2016
  5. Clements, Andrew (2 November 2016). "Capuçon/Rihm, Dusapin, Mantovani: Violin Concertos CD review – fiercely impassioned, lyrical playing". The Guardian. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
  6. Gramophone CD Review, David Allen, January 6, 2017
  7. Hewett, Ivan (4 May 2014). "BBC Symphony Orchestra, Barbican Hall, review: 'wonderful'". The Telegraph.
  8. Classicalsource Concert Review, Richard Whitehouse, May 3, 2014
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