Jorge Pepi Alós was born in Cordoba (Argentina). After a traditional education at the conservatory of his home city he travelled to Switzerland to study composition with Eric Gaudibert. He was awarded the 1988 Student Prize from the Swiss Musicians' Association. His chamber opera 'Caccia al Tesoro' received an award from the SUISA, and in March 1993 was premiered as part of the 'Archipel' Festival in Geneva. In 1994 he won first prize at the Gerona International Composition Competition (Spain), and 'Caccia al Tesoro' achieved huge success at the 'Wien Modern' festival. In 1995 he won the Gilson Prize awarded by the French Radio for 'Metamorfosis III and IV'.
Work list
Lieder ohne Worte (1984)
Instrumentation: for voice and string trio
This is a series of seven sequences to be played attacca. It is full of (partly black) humour. The texts are purely phonetic and constructed so that expression results from an eschewing literary content and only when bound together with sound.
Instrumentation: for violin (or flute or clarinet) and string trio
'Escalera' (staircase) is an instrumental version of 'Lieder ohne wörter', in which the vocal part is covered throughout by the flute, clarinet or violin. In the case of the violin it is a sketch for a string quartet.
This piece was written according to a predetermined compositional procedure in which it is divided into three parts, each given meaning by their respective titles ("…with Ravel", "…with Bach", "…with Liszt"), without drawing on their styles or musical languages.
Instrumentation: for clarinet, harp and violoncello
This piece consists of nine interdependent movements of contrasting character, in which the first (for clarinet and cello) and last are played again in a trio version. Three of the parts: Doble (clarinet solo), Espiral (harp solo) and Ostinato (violoncello solo) can be played separately.
Instrumentation: for eight instruments, four voices and a comedian (SABar; bfl.ob.cl/perc.pf/va.vc.db)
Texts: Dino Buzzati (Elena Vuille)
"The composer seized this opportunity to mix a lot of fantasy and a refined application of his craft in the handling of this small apparatus. His approach is influenced by Ligeti's grotesque technique but is here made his own, and in keeping with the properties of vocal lines inherent in vowel sounds. Quotes from opera and Gregorian chants are seamlessly introduced and made relevant to the whole through a relational compositional technique, rather than by flat illustration." ('Die Presse', Vienna).
Instrumentation: for nine instruments (ob.cl.hn.bn/perc/vn.va.vc.db)
'Metamorphosis' is cyclic. The unifying theme of the pieces is the will, a focusing of limited materials using permanent variation to facilitate maximum development. Each has its own individual material and its own inner logic, and each is independent of the other.
Instrumentation: for chamber orchestra (2(pic).2.2(bcl).2(cbn)/2.2.0.072perc/6.6.4.4)
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Amalgama (1995-1996)
Instrumentation: for piano, oboe, clarinet (contrabass clarinet), horn, bassoon (contrabassoon), violin, viola, violoncello double-bass and percussion
This work is the result of the juxtaposition of Metamorphosis III and Metamorphosis IV. These two pieces are entirely independent and can be played separately. Through this annex one becomes the sequel to the other, since the basic material of both is the same.
Instrumentation: for flute, oboe, clarinet (piccl), bassoon, tenor saxophone, trumpet, horn and two percussion
Duration: 11' 00" Manuscript
Nachtstücke (1998)
Instrumentation: for piano, violin and violoncello
In opposition to the majority of my works, which are generally written in one movement and completly abstract, ‘Nachtstücke’ is a group of seven short pieces of descriptive character.
The seven movements are structured like an arc and intend to portray the impressions of night in its extremes (from the icy night to the muggy night) the central axis is the stormy night: the result of hot and cold currents of air meeting.
Except for the exterior of this piece, my way of composing has not changed in comparison to my earlier works. The basic material of ‘Nachtstücke’ (presented at the beginning) is present throughout the whole work. The treatment of rhythm is very severe and the impression of tonality, which might appear in certain moments, comes from the ambivalence of a serial-modal organisation of the pitches.
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Vie Merveilleuse et Burlesque du Café (1999-2000)
Instrumentation: for soprano coloratura, tenor, bass-baritone and large chamber orchestra (2(pic).2.2(bcl).2(cbn)/2.2.0.0/2perc/pf/8.6.4.4.2)
Texts: Arabisch, Roland de Carvalho, Anonymus
In four movements:
1.'Louange' (based on Arabian text from the 16th century) for three singers and orchestra.
2. 'Paysage' (Song of the black gold by Roland de Carvalho - Brasil 1893-1935) for tenor, baritone and orchestra.
3. 'Scherzo' (Song about the use of coffee, its properties and about its proper preparation. French text from the 18th century) for soprano, baritone and Orchestra.
4. 'Rituel' for orchestra only.
Duration: 27' 00" Manuscript
Discography
Tetraclavier (Jecklin Szene Schweiz Nr. 289-2, 1993)