Mosaic for chamber ensemble (2004) | Compositions

Instrumentation: fl(=picc,afl).ob(=corA).cl(=bcl)-harp-vln.vla.vlc.db
Commission: Commissioned by the Nash Ensemble for its 40th anniversary season, with the kind support of the Garrick Trust, and in association with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Music Director, James Levine
Dedication: in memory of Carlos Salzedo
Buy Score: Hendon Music (Boosey & Hawkes)
Manuscripts: Paul Sacher Stiftung

Premiere: Mar 16, 2005/ Nash Ensemble/ Purcell Room, London

News

"One of the most energising musical occasions in years."

February 7, 2018
Journée Elliott Carter

December 11, 2018

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Mosaic clip

Carlos Salzedo, the extraordinary harpist, who was a member of the small group of modernists that surrounded Varese and Ives in the 1920’s and 30’s and has remained a memory which I cherish. His unusual developments in harp technique always seemed to me too infrequently explored in recent times. So in writing Mosaic, commissioned by the Nash Ensemble, I decided to explore many of his exciting inventions to recall his friendship in the early 1930’s.

The score is formed by many short mosaic-like tessera that I hope make one coordinated impression.

– Elliott Carter

Recordings (2)

Elliott Carter: The Complete String Quartets; 100th Anniversary Release
Naxos 8.503225 (2010)
Pacifica Quartet: Simin Ganatra, violin I; Sibbi Bernhardsson, violin II; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; Brandon Vamos, cello
Elliott Carter: 100th Anniversary Release
Naxos 8.559614 (2008)
New Music Concerts Ensemble, Robert Aitken, conductor | Max Christie, clarinet | David Hetherington, cello | Virgil Blackwell, bass clarinet | Fujiko Imajishi, violin | David Swan, piano