Orion

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Lore & Background

In early 1979, Vivier received a joint-commission from the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (OSM) and the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA), to compose a new work for the orchestra. It was completed in an uncharacteristically short amount of time, with the final manuscript being published on 6 October of the same year. The piece was premiered years later on 14 October 1980, at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Montreal, Canada, with the OSM under conductor Charles Dutoit. Vivier's program notes describe the work as consisting of six sections: statement of the melody, first development of the melody laid upon itself, second development of the melody laid upon itself, meditation on the melody, remembrance of the melody, and finally the melody in two intervals. He wrote: 'Eternal homecoming, as in History with a capital H, which always waits impatiently for the return of its redemptive saints and its dictators. I have the impression that I’m sitting still on an airplane; I remain in the same place and yet I go from Cairo to Kuala Lumpur. Go and find out for yourself!'

In Their Own Story

The work features a large orchestra with a dense percussion section, typical of Vivier's late style. Two recordings exist on discography: WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, conducted by Peter Rundel, 2004 (Kairos), and Deutschlandradio Kultur Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, conducted by Ingo Metzmacher.

Reader's Guide

The notes given by Vivier in the finished manuscript, with English translation, read: 'Une mélodie à la trompette, encore la trompette, comme dans Kopernikus, instrument de la mort au Moyen-Age (voir le film de Bergman et lire l'Office des morts). Orion comprend six sections: présentation de la mélodie, premier développement de la mélodie sur elle-même, second développement de la mélodie sur elle-même, méditation sur la mélodie, souvenir de la mélodie et enfin la mélodie sur deux intervalles. Eternel retour, comme dans l'histoire avec un grand H, qui attend toujours avec impatience le retour de ses saints rédempteurs et de ses dictateurs. J'ai l'impression de piétiner dans un avion; je reste sur place, et pourtant, je vais du Caire à Kuala Lumpur. Allez-donc savoir!'

Did You Know?

• Orion was completed in an uncharacteristically short amount of time, with the final manuscript published on 6 October 1979.
• The piece premiered on 14 October 1980 at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Montreal, conducted by Charles Dutoit.
• Vivier's program notes reference the film by Bergman and l'Office des morts in connection with the trumpet as an instrument of death.
• The work consists of six sections: statement of the melody, first development, second development, meditation, remembrance, and the melody in two intervals.
• A typical performance of Orion lasts around thirteen minutes.