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- Robert Saxton
Reflections of Narziss and Goldmund (1975)
- Chester Music Ltd (World)
Premiered at the Royan Festival, April 1977 by Ensemble 'M' of the Hague, conducted by David Porcelijn
Programme Note
"Reflections of Narziss and Goldmund" relates structurally to the novel by Hermann Hesse. I’ see the book as a series of episodes which always appear to be building up to a climactic point, but which never achieve this. In fact, each episode seems to die away, the only climax coming near the end of the novel; however, this is only an artificial crescendo in the story, because the true ending is yet another process of fading to nothing, ending with a question-mark when Goldmund (the troubled man) challenges the ever-peaceful Narziss with a question to which Narziss is unable to reply. This leaves the reader with an ambivalent attitude to the entire range of questions and possible answers which Hesse poses. (May r add that this is a subjective view of Hesse's structure.)
The music relates to these specific aspects of the structure of the novel; any further connections between the two are non-existent. Whereas Hermann Hesse is telling a story, the music is entirely abstract. The musical figures/ideas come and go in a kaleidoscopic manner and beneath this surface there are quite complex structures. The short sections continually fade away; as in the novel, there is an artificial crescendo near the end and the piece closes with only the harp and piano/celesta playing, the two ensembles having attempted a last appearance in vain.
Robert Saxton
The music relates to these specific aspects of the structure of the novel; any further connections between the two are non-existent. Whereas Hermann Hesse is telling a story, the music is entirely abstract. The musical figures/ideas come and go in a kaleidoscopic manner and beneath this surface there are quite complex structures. The short sections continually fade away; as in the novel, there is an artificial crescendo near the end and the piece closes with only the harp and piano/celesta playing, the two ensembles having attempted a last appearance in vain.
Robert Saxton