Origami Symphony. (Original composition);

Abstract

Origami Symphony is a four-movement work for symphonic orchestra (three flutes, third alternating with piccolo, two oboes and english horn; three clarinets, third alternating with bass clarinet; three bassoons, third alternating with contrabassoon; four horns; three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, five percussionists playing a variety of instruments, harp, piano alternating with celesta, and strings). It is named for the Japanese art of paper-folding, O-ri-gami, in which a single piece of paper, subjected to a small repertoire of folding combinations in various orders and groups, may be sculpted into an impression of various creatures, flowers, and people. The movements present sharply contrasting characters, but employ a single series of twelve distinct pitches as the source of all melodic and harmonic material. In this sense, they too are all folded from a single fabric. The first movement, titled Basic Folds, opens somberly with an ominous march rhythm. The basic row is announced by the tubular chimes, and a sighing melody begins in the violas and woodwinds, eventually growing to encompass the whole orchestra. Brilliant fanfares and whirlwind runs characterize a brief middle section, which leads to the climatic return of the sighing melody. The movement ends quietly and meditatively. The second movement, Grasshopper, is a quick, rhythmic dance. Initially, it features the sounds of plucked strings, then various wind players, and finally a dialog between the percussion and the rest of the orchestra. The third movement, Spider, is brief and mysterious. The element of mystery is represented in part by melodies patterned after Jewish ritual chant, which is characterized by modes with augmented seconds, reiterated central tones, and, occasionally, chaotic heterophony. The chant is intermittently punctuated by fanfares. The final movement, Soaring Bird, is lyrical and light. A two-note sighing gesture, based on the opening melody of the first movement, leads to a gently contrapuntal first theme, punctuated by percussion. The second theme is a variant of the first with an impressionistic accompaniment. A densely contrapuntal middle section leads to a shrill climax, from which the music gradually tapers to a gently pulsing ending.