Karen Tanaka: Hommage En Cristal

Crystalline III was commissioned by Encounters in Canada. It was first performed by Eve Egoyan at the Glenn Gould Studio at the CBC, on 9th May 2000. Karen Tanaka: 'From the composition of Crystalline for solo piano in 1988, I have desired to project the image of crystals in sounds and space. Hommage en cristal (1991), Metallic Crystal (1994-95) and Crystalline II (1995-96) are linked to this earlier piece, in which a glassy, solid, yet transparent sound suggests cold, crystal sound sculptures. This idea has been extended and developed in Crystalline III, but it has become more joyful and more rapidly fluttering in space. / Classique / Partition /

This work for piano and string ensemble was written as a homage to Maestro Luciano Berio. The harmonic field of the piece is based on a series of twenty-three notes chosen for him by the composer. Commissioned by the UltimaFestival Oslo this work was first performed in October 1991 at Den Gamle Logen Oslo by Hakon Austbo (piano) and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra conducted by Beat Furrer.Duration c. 9mins.