Morton Feldman
Rothko Chapel
Short instrumentation: perc(1), cel, vla(1)
Duration: 30'
Choir: SATB (vocalises)
Solos:
soprano
alto
Instrumentation details:
percussion(1)
celesta
viola(1)
Feldman - Rothko Chapel for soprano, alto, mixed choir and instruments
Printed/Digital
Translation, reprints and more
Morton Feldman
Feldman: Rothko Chapel for soprano, alto, mixed choir (SATB) and instruments
Available digitally
Orchestration: for soprano, alto, mixed choir (SATB) and instruments
Type: Studienpartitur
Language: Vokalisen
Sample pages
Audio preview
Work introduction
Morton Feldman wrote Rothko Chapel for soprano, alto, mixed choir and instruments for the meditation room of the Menil Foundation in Houston/Texas in 1971. The room contains 14 large paintings by the American artist Mark Rothko in red, black and purple tones, which vary according to the light and create an atmosphere of contemplation and tranquillity. “To a large degree, my choice of instruments (in terms of forces used, balance and timbre) was affected by the space of the chapel as well as the paintings. I wanted the music … to permeate the whole octagonalshaped room and not be heard from a certain distance” (Feldman).