Hollow Knight x Shostakovich
Category
Large Chamber Ensemble
Instrumentation
Alcine, Shostakovich, Elkin: pf vn vc
Jung, Jaxson, Brinton: fl cl pf vn va vc
Matoba: cl bn tp tbn vn db drumset
Commissioned By
Press Start Orchestra Composer Competition
Premiere
2021
Program
Radiance
Themes by Christopher Larkin, arr. Aaron Alcine
Piano Trio No. 2 in e minor, Op. 67
Dmitri Shostakovich
Andante
Allegro con bio
Largo
Allegretto
Mantis Lords
Themes by Christopher Larkin, arr. Jacob Elkin
Shostakovich's Mantis Lords
Themes by Christopher Larkin, arr. Ryan Jung
Hollow Knight's Falsehood
Themes by Christopher Larkin, arr. Joe Jaxson
False Knight
Themes by Christopher Larkin, arr. Bethany Brinton
Hornet
Themes by Christopher Larkin, arr. Jun Matoba
Orchestrations from Hollow Knight paired with Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 2. While sharing a similar grit due to its setting in the ruins of a fallen kingdom, the former adds a levity that balances the gravitas of Shostakovich’s writing.
Certain pieces mimic styles of past composers. Elkin's orchestration of "Mantis Lords" incorporates a Classical style nodding to Mozart, and in some cases going a bit further..."False Knight" and "Hornet" both hark to Stravinsky in orchestration and rhythmic intrigue with the latter clearly calling to Igor's Rite of Spring.