Markus Götz

Villa Musica

The three-movement composition "Villa Musica - Sinfonische Varianten über ein badisches Volkslied" was commissioned by the Fahrnau Music Association in the summer of 2002. Two aspects were particularly important to me in the conception of the work: firstly, I wanted to take into account the occasion of the commission, namely the construction of the new rehearsal hall with the name "Villa Musica". Secondly, it was the conductor Andreas Meier's wish that melodies from Fahrnau's regional surroundings be incorporated into the composition. I found what I was looking for in the Baden folk song "In Mutters Stübeli", which is an excellent melody. "Villa Musica" does not have the classic structure of a theme followed by variations. The complete original song itself is not played a single time. Rather, the song and its intervals served as the basic material from which I developed my own themes and musical associations. The first movement, "Prelude", is festive opening music that represents the joy of moving into the new house. The monumental entrance gate is musically represented by a modern fanfare. The trumpets take over the opening statement, first in unison, then in a four-part movement. The other brass instruments join in canonically until finally the whole orchestra can be heard. A gravitational transition in the woodwind leads to an agitated allegro section. The flutes and muted trumpets alternate with hectic semiquaver figures. These are intended to represent the joyful excitement of entering the new building. Here, motifs from the song "In Mutters Stübeli" appear in the clarinets for the first time, but in 4/4 time instead of 3/4 and with a melodically altered structure. The excited mood leads to a reprise of the opening fanfare. The second movement, "Nocturne", begins in a mysterious nocturnal mood, heralded by a pianissimo in the high woodwinds. Impressionistic soundscapes form the background for an elegiac melody in the solo trumpet, which in turn contains fragments from the folk song. Suddenly, however, the nocturnal fog recedes and the view from the roof window of the "Villa Musica" reveals a sparkling starry sky. This scene is captured by a catchy melody played by clarinets and horns. Once again, pensive thoughts arise and the overcast mood of the beginning is resumed. Now it is the solo oboe that plays its arioso above the fog of sound, finally allowing the fog to give way to the glorious night sky. I have made these changes of mood interesting in terms of sound by means of cross keys, which are unusual for wind orchestras. At first, D major may be a challenge for some amateur wind players, but after a few rehearsals, the unusual and effective wind orchestra sound will certainly win everyone over. The finale "Allegro Marziale" is very determined, almost aggressive music. The five percussionists required for the work open the movement with rhythmic motifs, which in turn are taken from the folk song. These impulses are taken up by the winds. A driving theme, first in the woodwinds, then in the low brass, again uses fragments from the folk song, but now in a minor key. The stamina that an association needs to realize a major project such as the "Villa Musica" rehearsal venue is manifested in this stirring allegro. This mood is interrupted by a devotional chorale and a powerful fugato that runs through the entire orchestra. "Villa Musica" is a work that combines modern elements and creates new timbres for wind orchestra. The third movement was strongly influenced by my encounter with Stephen Melillo at a composers' course in the summer of 2003. His way of composing did not necessarily change my musical style, but it did have a lasting influence on how I approach a composition. I am particularly indebted to him for this. Markus Goetz