ordynov (2003)_
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... is less about the short story from which it is extracted; is more a representation of the many-faceted (and rather gloomy) central character, who is disposed to experiencing all forms of emotions almost simultaneously and without warning.
Representing a foretaste of Frydor Dostoyevsky's later novels, The Landlady merges dreams and delusions into reality, and the poor student Ordynov has constant visions and attacks of delirium. His visions are unclear, maybe because of his lack of food, his disposition to wander the streets aimlessly, or perhaps because of his infatuation with the beautiful but fragile landlady, Katerina. In turn, Katerina is under the influence of an old man, living alongside her, with far-reaching and deadly powers.
The music represents solely the character of Ordynov, juxtaposing musical ideas incoherently on top of each other or as a random mosaic and musical pastiche. Virtuosity is required, especially from the clarinet and the first violins. The complexity of the music "represents the complexity of Ordynov's dreams and visions," Salecich explains. "Musical motifs, both rhythmic and melodic, are repeated, transposed and inverted at will, as are the three five-note chords that begin the work. I have tried to encompass the full range and scope of Ordynov's emotional responses within its short duration."
This extract from Dostoyevsky's story can be found in the preface of the score:
Ordynov was still awake enough to hear the old man, his landlord, going into the room behind the partition. Then he sensed Katerina rising to her feet, without hurry or fuss, picking up her books and making the sign of the cross over him as she left; he closed his eyes. Suddenly a long, hot kiss burned on his inflamed lips; it was as though he had been stabbed in the heart with a knife. He gave a faint cry and lost consciousness . . .
After that a strange life began for him . . . With horror he tried to resist the doom-laden sense of fatalism that oppressed him; then, in a moment of the most intense and desperate struggle some unknown force struck him down once more and he felt himself clearly losing consciousness again, as again the impenetrable, bottomless gloom opened up before him and he fell into it with a howl of anguish and despair. . . At times he experienced moments of unbearable, annihilating happiness . . . 1
1Dostoyevsky, Frydor. (tr. David McDuff) Poor Folk and other Stories: The Landlady. Penguin Books: London, 1988:152.
- first performed by
- Kenneth Young cond.
- Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
recording courtesy of ABC Classic FM AUSTRALIA