Of Light and Shadow. (Original composition);

Abstract

Of Light and Shadow, a composition for large orchestra, deals with timbres created from chordal structures. The work is in five sections and lasts approximately sixteen minutes. The primary motive for Of Light and Shadow consists of six notes, C, Eb, A, G#, D, F#. This motive is divided into two ascending three-note groups with the G# of the second group beginning a minor ninth below the A. The first three-note group outlines an inverted diminished triad and the second group forms a whole-tone chord. Whole-tone and tritone elements figure prominently throughout the piece and are also present in the complementary group of six notes, Bb, E, B, F, C#, G. This second group of notes is used much more flexibly and variably than the first. After a short introduction the work settles into a slow, dark melody heard in the cellos and basses with a focus on C. A brief transition on C# leads to a bright, stable E lydian chord that begins a chorale-like section. This section closes with a less stable chord on E, darkened with a flatted fifth placed low in the sonority. From this cloudy chord a fast mercurial section emerges in the woodwinds using freely mixed fragments from both six-note groups. After a settling transition, a serene section of C#/G# twelfths with interpolated melodic fragments begins. As the melodies become longer and the number of voices increases, the C#/G# chord becomes more complex and the attack of its envelope is lengthened by arpeggios in the piano and harp and repeated notes in the violins and violas. The climactic chord of this section is repeated over a pounding bass drum/timpani/piano chord on Eb that fades as the chord above thins out. A melody of glissandos focussed on Eb yields to a distant pealing of chords that become fragmented in the vibraphone, glockenspiel, harp and piano. A transition of strings in glissandos and a high violin descent lead to the return of the introductory music. Insistent sixteenth-notes drive to the final climactic chords.