Headline Hues: Concerto for Strings (2013) by Jonas Tarm

Headline Hues (2013)
Concerto for Strings
to the casualties of the Arab Spring

Prelude
I. Bright Blue Light
II. Red Silence
III. Yellow Media
Jonas Tarm, composer

Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Risto Joost, conductor

World Premier, April 7th, 2013 Mustpeade Maja, Tallinn, Estonia.
Commissioned by the Estonian Composer's Union

Program Notes:
Headline Hues is in concerto form — a popular form for ensemble music dating back to the baroque era. According to the Oxford Music Dictionary, 'Concerto' likely derives from the Latin word concertare, meaning both 'to contend, dispute and debate,' as well as 'to work together with someone'. Concerto, therefore, is a form both of juxtaposition and opposition.

You could view the standard classical-period concerto consisting of 1. a soloist who represents the hero, 2. the orchestra, which represents society, and 3. the music, which describes the relationship between the two. Throughout repertory history, these characteristics of the soloist, orchestra and the relationship between the two have been ever changing. This changing relationship reflects changing relationships in society itself.

At the dawn of the 20th century, the concerto adopted a new meaning: it described an orchestral piece where there was no single soloist and where, instead, sections of the orchestra were treated as the soloists. Here, in Headline Hues,
I approach the orchestra in a similar way but with a twist: each and every member of the orchestra must also be a soloist; they must be somebody who both gives and takes power.

Headline Hues is introduced by a Prelude, which introduces most of the musical material you'll hear later. Most importantly, it introduces the idea of unity and independence. The Prelude is followed by three main movements and there is a break between movements one and two.

The three movements are presented in the form of the three primary colors.

Headline Hues is dedicated to the casualties of the Arab Spring.

Contains tracks

• Headline Hues - Prelude & I. Bright Blue Light (2013) by Jonas Tarm
• Headline Hues - II. Red Silence by Jonas Tarm
• Headline Hues - III. Yellow Media by Jonas Tarm