Berio - Entrata (1980) (with score)
Between 1978 and 1989, Luciano Berio composed four orchestral miniatures, each of them scored for large orchestra. Because of their short duration and sizable instrumentation, they stood little chance of becoming integrated in the orchestral repertoire. More practically, the composer welcomed a suggestion of his long-time assistant, Paul Roberts, for the four miniatures to be turned into a cycle with the combined duration of some twelve minutes but died before the idea could be turned into practice. It was Pierre Boulez who determined the order of the four pieces and also devised the title of Quatre dédicaces. Boulez also conducted the world premiere in Chicago with three further performances in the city; programmed the work in New York and a year later also in Lucerne.
Berio himself commented that "Entrata, written in 1980 for the San Francisco Symphony, is intended as a brilliant exhibition of orchestral sonorities. The term “entrata” indicates a short introductory piece with a festive, ceremonial character. Entrata was later integrated into La vera storia."
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra - Cond: Mariss Jansons