Five Pieces for Orchestra (Fünf Orchesterstücke, Op. 10, 1913) by Anton Webern

1. Sehr ruhig und zart
2. Lebhaft und zart bewegt
3. Sehr langsam und äußerst ruhig
4. Fließend, äußerst zart
5. Sehr fließend

Audio clip of 2nd movement

The second of the Five Pieces (1913) for orchestra by Anton Webern sums up the Austrian composer’s style. It is sparse, often with only a single instrument playing and with silences between notes. It lurches suddenly from violent outbursts to muted, delicately placed notes. Webern’s focus on clarity and brevity (this entire movement is only 90 seconds long), gives his music an otherworldly, gemlike purity.

PERFORMANCE DATE:
Saturday, April 10, 2010