Perpetuum mobile can be defined in many ways. My new favorite classification is “Perpetuum Mobile” by Penguin Café Orchestra (iTMS). It is one of the most beautiful pieces of music that I have ever earned the pleasure of happening upon.
The band gleaned the title of this song from the compositional technique of perpetuum mobile (Latin), moto perpetuo (Italian), perpetual motion (English). I will hereafter refer to the song by Penguin Café Orchestra as “Perpetuum Mobile”, and the musical term as “moto perpetuo” in order to avoid confusion and redundant clarification. As one could gather through hearing the song, the moto perpetuo technique features a “continuous steady stream of notes, usually at a rapid tempo” (wikipedia - perpetuum mobile).
“Perpetuum Mobile” happens to feature moto perpetuo in regard to song technique and also with the composition. When a song is composed moto perpetuo, a piece of the music is repeated without a halt in the melody. Thus, the song may sound as if it goes on for a length of time that for exceeds the length of the repeated section - it may have been repeated any number of times. A repetition may change in pitch or tempo, as “Perpetuum Mobile” explicates.
Do try “Perpetuum Mobile”. It is beautiful. You can purchase the sheet music; it is available through the collection “Numbers 1–4 and other pieces”. It is available via Penguin Café Orchestra’s shopping site (currency in pounds) or Edition Peters (currency also in pounds). I have been unable to locate an American source to avoid importing and currency exchange and exploded prices, so anyone finding one - please, leave a comment.
December 18th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Must check it out when I get home.