Erkki-Sven Tüür - Action-Passion-Illusion for string orchestra [1993]

Performed by the Nordic Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Anu tali.

00:00. Action
05:37. Passion
13:05. Illusion

This popular piece (particularly the last movement) of Tüür's exemplifies quite well his early period of composition where he was interested in juxtaposing tonality and atonality, minimalistic and explosive development and different musical styles.

Action sets up a propulsive rhythm in a neoclassical style, perhaps betraying influences of Tüür's teacher Jaan Rääts. Tüür sets up a dialogue between contrasting elements: forceful and fragmented melody in tutti and a constant stream of piano staccato static chords. These two elements start developing according to their own logic with the melody gradually building from fragments to more sustained statements. A middle B-section (01:45) provides contrast by introducing legato or detache runs in 16ths - a new element which begins a dialectic interaction between staccato and continuous figures, grandually building up to a culminating C-B-A phrase. A reprise section begins at bar 150 (04:20), recapitulating the beginning with some variation, but is then interrupted by the culminating phrase and an oscilating "fade-out" figure which signal the resolution of the piece.

Passion by contrast brings to mind a re-imagined medieval or reinaissance polyphony, starting with slow note values in low registers and modal inflections, resembling gregorian plainchants. This gradually builds to more and more melismatic writing and higher register, what the composer describes as "a slow filling of space" [1], culminating in anguished tremolo figures in clusters (11:45). It seems to me that in this composition in particular Arvo Pärt's tintinnabuli style may be an influence.

Illusion the composer describes a deconstruction of a baroque motif [1], which tends to get more and more fragmented as it is developed, before being interjected by tutti chords which perhaps create a link with Action (14:11). The two strains - like in Action - start developing in parallel. A 'winding-down' phrase also seems to allude back to Passion (15:30).

[1] Notes by the composer to the score. https://fennica.digital/scores/TuurAc...

See also: https://www.erkkisven.com/
or Estonian Music Information Center: https://www.emic.ee/erkki-sven-tuur