INSTRUMENTATION
3.(II=a.fl.,III=picc.)3(III=ca.).3(III=bcl.).3(III=cbsn.). / 4.3.2.1 / 1. timp. 2 perc: tubular bells, glockenspiel, cowbell, suspended cymbal, marimba, 2 bongos, tenor drum, whip, vibraphone, bass drum, bell tree / 14.12.10.8.6.
DURATION
ca. 17′
COMMISSIONER
London Symphony Orchestra through the LSO Discovery Panufnik Composers Scheme, generously supported by Lady Hamlyn and the Helen Hamlyn Trust
PUBLISHER
PROGRAMME NOTE
Sunfall took inspiration from several sources. The first was the sunset scene of Thomas Moran’s 1875 painting Fiercely the Red Sun Descending/Burned His Way Along the Heavens. The vivid colours of the sky juxtaposed with the darker tones below create a deeply dramatic seascape. During composition, I also read Cormac McCarthy’s classic, Blood Meridian, in which the sun plays an important part illuminating the landscapes of the story. I attempted to translate some of this imagery into music in my piece. Zoomed in, the sun exhibits danger and heat, reflected in the more dramatic passages of my work; zoomed out it exhibits peace, light and beauty, reflected in the more still and melodic passages. The majority of the piece was written in the countryside, during the lockdown period of 2020, where I was accompanied by the setting sun – not unlike the one depicted in Moran’s painting – many a night of composing. Perhaps this adds yet another layer of meaning behind the title of the work. .
PERFORMANCES
29 FEBRUARY 2024
Aarhus Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Eva Ollikainen
Musikhuset, Aarhus, Denmark
16 NOVEMBER 2023
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by George Benjamin
Musiikkitalo, Helsinki, Finland
15 NOVEMBER 2023 (✦ Finland premiere)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by George Benjamin
Musiikkitalo, Helsinki, Finland
06 APRIL 2022 (✦ Denmark premiere)
London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by François-Xavier Roth
Musikkens Hus, Aalborg, Denmark
05 APRIL 2022
London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by François-Xavier Roth
Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg, Denmark
04 APRIL 2022 (✦ Germany premiere)
London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by François-Xavier Roth
Konzerthaus Dortmund, Germany
03 APRIL 2022 (✦ World premiere)
London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by François-Xavier Roth
Barbican Hall, London, United Kingdom
VIDEO
REVIEWS
Joel Järventausta emerged as a strong composer with Sunfall, which was heard in its Finnish premiere… Järventausta’s approach to writing for orchestra is powerful in a way that is reminiscent of John Williams, although he strikes many different tones in the work.
– Wilhelm Kvist – Hufvudstadsbladet (2023)
His Sunfall…seemed an exceptionally assured piece of orchestral writing.
– Andrew Clements – The Guardian (2022)
…clearly a composer who knows how to turn colour into sound. Blazing sunlight and ominous clouds fill his bold canvas…
– Rebecca Franks – The Times (2022)
Joel Järventausta’s Sunfall…made for an impressive opening piece… A keen ear for matching timbre and harmony…
– Mark Berry – The Boulezian (2022)
Truly gripping was Sunfall… The young Finn’s narration is extremely sonorous…
– Verena Fischer-Zernin –Hamburger Abendblatt (2022)
JOEL JÄRVENTAUSTA 