The Infernal Element

Another soundscape, Spencer Topel’s Incendio is an image of fire. It is in three main segments, the inner representing embers against the flames of the outer two. Each segment has a series of sections that go by quickly, flaring and dying with shifting colors. You can listen to it for the rest of the week here.

Ignited by a sizzle cymbal solo, the first section introduces the dominant feature of the music, that of oscillating orchestral colors. The vibraphone stands out, but only as a first among equals; the texture is paramount. The trombones burst out and are punctuated with a bass drum thump. Then the trumpets and horns catch fire, with two short explosions from the orchestra, and the flame dies down a bit.

The second section features first the violins then cellos against a sparser accompaniment. It ends with the opening of the first section and the short explosions moved from the trombones to the tympani, and a longer flare from the sizzle cymbal (the cough is not in the score :-).

The oboes kindle the third section which is dominated by the horns, building to a passage featuring the English horn and clarinet. That clarinet imitates the opening sizzle cymbal solo to reprise the first section. A coda ends the first segment with the clarinet fading to nothing.

The embers segment is at a slower tempo. Pops of color with occasional little flare-ups lead to a brief re-ignition of flames in the middle that dies down to coals again. The sparkle of the tuned percussion send glowing embers dancing into the air. A deep bass pedal foreshadows the end of the segment where the entire orchestra bursts anew into flame with the gong playing the role of the sizzle cymbal.

The concluding segment is an abbreviated recapitulation, starting with the first section. The oboes and horns bring back the third section, with the English horn and clarinet passage leading to a coda where the fire fades and dies.