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Jonas Tarm: Headline Hues

2,738 views · Published 5 June 2014 · 13:15 · Indexed 4 November 2026

Channel: New England Conservatory · 2014 · Music

Paul Biss conducts the New England Conservatory Symphony in a performance of Jonas Tarm's (B.M. '16) "Headline Hues." Tarm's work was selected through NEC's first annual Orchestra Composers Competition. Works submitted by NEC composition students were reviewed by a panel consisting of Richard Cornell, David Dzubay, and David Rakowski.

Jonas Tarm has provided these notes on his work:

Headline Hues is in concerto form. The Oxford Music Dictionary says the word 'concerto' likely derives from the Latin word concertare, meaning both 'to dispute and debate,' but also 'to work together.' In this sense, the form lends itself to an exploration of Revolution, which has been NEC's concert-season theme.

In the typical concerto of the classical-period, the orchestra represented society; the single soloist was the hero, and the music was the interaction of the two. But throughout history, the relationship between the orchestra and soloist — like the relationship between society itself and the hero — has always been in flux.

At the dawn of the 20th century, the concerto gained a new meaning: there was no single soloist, and so no single hero. Instead, whole sections of the orchestra were treated as soloists. In Headline Hues, there are elements of all these concerto traditions, with one innovation: each and every member of the orchestra must be a soloist.

The movements are presented as the three primary colors — Bright Blue Light, Red Silence and Yellow Media. The original version also includes a prelude.

Headline Hues: Concerto for Strings was commissioned by the Estonian Composer's Union and premiered in the Estonian capital, Tallinn. It was performed at the finale concert of the Estonian Music Days Festival on April 7, 2013, by the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra under the direction of conductor Risto Joost. It is dedicated to the casualties of the Arab Spring.

About New England Conservatory

A cultural icon that will mark its 150th anniversary in 2017, New England Conservatory (NEC) is recognized worldwide as a leader among music schools. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, NEC offers rigorous training in an intimate, nurturing community to undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate music students from around the world.

The only conservatory in the United States designated a National Historic Landmark, NEC presents more than 1000 free concerts each year. Many of these take place in Jordan Hall (which shares National Historic Landmark status with the school), world-renowned for its superb acoustics and beautifully restored interior.

Jonas Tarm: Headline Hues

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