Lightscapes is die derde komposisie in ’n trilogie van Peter Klatzow (1954-) wat lig as sentrale tema het en wat vir marimba en kamerensemble gekomponeer is.

Die eerste werk is Sunshine Surrounds Her wat deur die internasionaal-erkende marimbaspeler Marta Klimasara aangevra is. Dit is die eerste maal by die Stellenbosch Internasionale Kamermusiekfees in 2009 uitgevoer.

In 2011 was die Japanese marimbavirtuoos Kunihiko Komori die solis in When the Moon comes out in ’n konsert wat net aan Klatzow se musiek gewy is (Tokyo).

Nadat Klatzow die son en die maan as fokuspunte in sy marimbawerke gebruik het, volg Lightscapes wat vir die Stuttgart World Marimba Competition van 2012 aangevra is. Met sy drie bewegings en twee cadenzas het dit die formaat van ’n tradisionele concerto. Die virtuose cadenza-agtige passasies verteenwoordig die oorgang van een toestand van lig na ’n ander. Dit skei die volgende drie dele van mekaar:

1.    Star reflections and refractions
2.    Sunlight on stone images
3.    Nightlights, distant city

Die komponis se eie woorde (16 Julie 2013) oor die werk is die volgende:

"My first conception of Lightscapes (including the titles) was for a work for string quartet and marimba. I made many attempts at starting this, none successful.

Subsequent to that I composed a work (at the request of Marta Klimasara) entitled Sunshine Surrounds Her. Given her wonderful mop of blonde hair, it seemed to me to be a very appropriate tribute to the wonderful gifts of Miss Klimasara. The four instruments (flute, bassoon, violin and cello) "radiate" light from the central marimba part. It was premiered at the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival in 2009.

Subsequent to this I composed When the Moon comes out for the same ensemble. The distinguished Japanese marimbist Kunihiko Komori included it in an all-Klatzow concert featuring the marimba in Tokyo (2011). Sun and Moon were now well represented in my marimba works.

Thereafter Marta request a chamber work for the Stuttgart World Marimba competition in 2012. It was to be a substantial work, taking the place of the traditional concerto. I revisited the idea of Lightscapes which now formed a third (andmost substantial) part of a trilogy for marimba and chamber ensemble dealing with the effects of light.”

Gepubliseer Julie 2013

© Catharina Loader 2001