Solo (Instrumental) Cycles

[snyprrr]

I suppose we start with Hindemith? Every basic instrument is covered, no? (including organ... and yes, I KNOW I said "solo" instruments...give me just a little leeway here, there aren't that many cycles, are there?) And every sonata certainly seems to have the Hindemith "sound" (though the solo viola sonatas (4) are a bit more personal). Including the wind quintet as a "combo", all I have to say about Hindemith's cycle is "Bravo!" I mean, it's mostly standard repertoire stuff, classic music for it's forces.

Then we have Persichetti. I know that between his "Parables" and "Serenades" we have more of a "chamber" cycle, but I do believe that all the families are represented in his solo works, and, including harpsichord (and organ?), he may actually have the only indentifiably real solo cycle up to his point?

What IS the stature of Berio's Sequenzas? Is it monumental? Or, in a 20th century context, is it par for the course? I don't have a set, but I believe there might already be a thread (tons of reviews, though: DG vs. Naxos). What instruments are missing?

Off the top of my head, Franco Donatoni has an exciting cycle of solo intrumental pieces (mostly titled in cryptic Donatonese). I don't think it's as complete as Berio's (I don't know how much brass Donatoni has), but if you add in combinations, I think Donatoni's entire late chamber cycle stands up (I know, I know I said "solo" instruments ).

Sciarrino also has an impressive "cycle" of solo pieces... and I suppose by "cycle" I am talking about composers who seems to only write one piece (or so) per instrument (and many times their style will be so hermetic that the composer comes through no matter what instrument is played). Again, I don't think Sciarrino has done much for brass.

Dusapin also had a strangely titled cycle (every piece began with the letter "I"), incomplete I'm sure, but I don't know if I'm particularly convinced enough to start giving him medals yet. He pops up on a lottt of solo recitals, but his pieces always seem to be the weakest link (Garth Knox case in point). I do believe though that there's one or two brass in there...just enough to make it on this haphazard list!

Xenakis also has a great cycle, though he favored the trombone with his only solo brass piece, Keren, a rep standard.

ok ok....yeeesh...yes, then there's Cage.

I'm obviously pushing it here, so I invite you to join me. Maybe this can be fun.

[jochanaan]

...What IS the stature of Berio's Sequenzas? Is it monumental? Or, in a 20th century context, is it par for the course?...

I can't say whether these were written for all (or at least all common) instruments, but the individual pieces are definitely monumental. I have heard the Viola Sequenza once on a contemporary music recital--very, very challenging.  And his Sequenza for oboe is perhaps the only piece that actually scared me off from playing it because of its technical demands!

I've played the Hindemith Oboe Sonata and heard his Trumpet Sonata a couple of times; both very fine pieces, but the cycle has been described as uneven.