View source for Sequenza V

{{Italic title}}
'''''Sequenza V''''' is a composition for solo [[trombone]] by [[Luciano Berio]], part of his series of [[sequenza|pieces with this title]].  Written in 1966 for [[Stuart Dempster]], it has since been performed and recorded by [[Vinko Globokar]], [[Benny Sluchin]], [[Christian Lindberg]], and others. The piece calls for many [[extended techniques]] including [[multiphonics]] (singing and playing at the same time), rattling a [[plunger mute]] against the bell of the instrument, [[glissandi]], and producing sounds while inhaling. In addition, the trombonist mimes and must at one point turn to the audience and ask, "Why?"

''Sequenza V'' was composed as a tribute to [[Grock]], called "the last of the great clowns" by {{harvtxt|Berio|1998|loc=14}}. As a child of 11, the composer saw the clown perform and in the middle of his routine, Grock stopped, turned to the audience, and asked "warum?" ("why?"). This powerful performance had a lasting impact on Berio and he later said of it, "I didn't know whether to laugh or cry and I wanted to do both" {{harv|Berio|1998|loc=15}}.

In 1994, [[BIS Records]] released a laserdisc of Christian Lindberg performing ''Sequenza V'' in clown attire.

== References ==
* {{wikicite|ref={{harvid|Berio|1998}}|reference=Berio, Luciano. 1998. Explanatory texts to the ''Sequenzas'' (original in Italian; English translation by David Osmond-Smith; German translation by Karl Dietrich Gräwe; French translation by Jean-Claude Poyet), in the booklet to ''Luciano Berio: Sequenzas''. Ensemble InterContemporain. 3 CDs. Deutsche Grammophon 457 038-2.}}

==Further reading==
* {{wikicite|ref={{harvid|Conant|n.d.}}|reference=[[Abbie Conant|Conant, Abbie]]. ''[http://www.osborne-conant.org/Grock.htm Grock the Clown and Luciano Berio's Sequenza V]'', URL accessed on February 4, 2007.}}

{{Luciano Berio}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Compositions by Luciano Berio]]
[[Category:Compositions for trombone]]
[[Category:1966 compositions]]
[[Category:Serial compositions]]
[[Category:Contemporary classical compositions]]
[[Category:Instrumental solo pieces]]