Cellomania (2025)
For cello ensemble
Dur. ca. 18’
Throughout my 50 years as a composer, I have had a fascination with larger ensembles of identicalinstruments. It is a predilection for small variations between many similar sound sources that can create a transformation into a new state. This fascination is clearly seen in Domino Figures (1979) for 10-100 guitars – a work that is still performed around the world – Music for 21 Clarinets (1980), Canon for Nine Flutes (1986) and Road Movie for 16 trombones (2008).
On a kayak trip in the summer of 2024, I got the idea for a new work for a large cello ensemble. Alone at sea, I began to imagine the sound of many cellists playing long, sliding tones that together created a microtonal cloud of sound that changed gradually. I also imagined a more rhythmic section with “loops” and “grooves” where the many voices fluctuate in close interplay. The inspiration and motivation for a new work were there. But who would perform a work for a large cello ensemble?
I contacted Professor Henrik Brendstrup from the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus. I have previously had a fantastic collaboration with Henrik on my works for cello and electronics. Henrik’s cello class at the conservatory has grown over the years with a total of 13 students in 2024/2025. Fortunately, Henrik was very enthusiastic about the idea of a new work for cello ensemble. In short, it was a perfect match between commissioner and composer. The composition received financial support from the Danish Arts Foundation and Cellomania was premiered at a concert in the Aarhus Symphony Hall in April 2025.
RAMA Celli