What is "sequenza"

Sequenza ( Italian for "sequence") is the name borne by fourteen compositions for solo instruments or voice by Luciano Berio. The pieces, some of which call for extended techniques, are:

• Sequenza I (1958; rev. 1992) for flute
• Sequenza II (1963) for harp
• Sequenza III (1965) for female voice
• Sequenza IV (1965) for piano
• Sequenza V (1966) for trombone
• Sequenza VI (1967) for viola
• Sequenza VII (1969/2000) for oboe (reworked as Sequenza VIIb for soprano saxophone in 2000)
• Sequenza VIII (1976) for violin
• Sequenza IX (1980) for clarinet (reworked 1981 as Sequenza IXb for alto saxophone, and 1980 as Sequenza IXc for bass clarinet)
• Sequenza X (1984) for trumpet and piano resonance
• Sequenza XI (1987) for guitar
• Sequenza XII (1995) for bassoon
• Sequenza XIII (1995) for accordion
• Sequenza XIV (2002) for cello (reworked in 2004 by Stefano Scodanibbio as Sequenza XIVb for double bass)

Several of these pieces became the basis of larger works: Sequenza II, with the addition of extra instrumental parts around the original solo, became Chemins I; Sequenza VI developed into Chemins II, Chemins IIb, Chemins IIc and Chemins III; Sequenza VII became Chemins IV; Sequenza XI became Chemins V; Sequenza X became Kol-Od, also known as Chemins VI; Sequenza IXb became Récit, also known as Chemins VII; and Sequenza VIII became Corale. Conversely, Sequenza IX grew out of a piece for clarinet and electronics (later withdrawn), originally known as Chemins V; NB it is not the same as the work with the same title which originates from Sequenza XI.

Category:Compositions by Luciano Berio