Moto Perpetuo
2009
This work is an exercise in establishing musical direction, structure and coherence within the self-imposed limitation of having an articulation on each of the piece’s 1101 quaver beats. Through the manipulation of an 8-note series and a related durational series, and through the structural use of the opening material, a referential punctuating chord (and its transformations) and 5:4 interjections, the piece aims to link essentially juxtaposed and disparate blocks of music into a unified work. A frequent concern is of undermining a regular pulse through irregular metre and especially through the superimposition of material operating on different metrical principles. This is seen most clearly in the piano part, which periodically plays quotations from moto perpetuos of the piano literature
Instrumentation: Flute, Clarinet, 2 Bassoons, Piano, Violin, Cello
Duration: c. 6′
Premier: 26 November 2009 by Vaganza – Jenny Dyson (fl), Harry Michelas (cl), Georgie Raggett & Natasha Exposito (bsns), Olivia Jageurs (pno), Sarah Hill (vln), Harriet Leach (vc) – at New Music North West Festival, Cosmo Rodewald Hall, Manchester – conducted by the composer