L'ombra della croce (2014)
(for string orchestra)

L’ombra della croce was written on Tõnu Kaljuste’s request especially for ECM album "Gesualdo". The initial motif of  Gesualdo’s motet "O Crux Benedicta" serves as a basis for L’ombra della croce. While composing this piece, I imagined myself back to the beginning of the 1990s – by this time I had composed the string orchestra pieces Insula deserta and Action. Passion. Illusion. I am aware that my musical style might have developed in a direction entirely different to the current one – represented by Symphonies No. 3–8, all my instrumental concertos and opera Wallenberg – and so I set off based on this other, imaginary path. It was peculiar to realise that this "other me" is still ready for action despite being in a dormant state. 

L’ombra della croce is dedicated to my friend Manfred Eicher – encompassing both early and contemporary music, he created the ECM New Series that has accumulated an admirable catalogue over time.

Erkki-Sven Tüür