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Dithyramb I (1972) |
clarinet, percussion - 14'
The inspiration for Roxburgh's Dithyramb I came when he was asked by Alan Hacker and Tristan Fry to write a piece for their Greek-named ensemble The Matrix, and its title refers to the satyr-chorus through whose Dionysian vision the spectator's own inmost nature is revealed. The metres and intervals bear relationship to the structure of a Greek Choric Hymn, and the quarter-tone bending of intonation derives from enharmonic forms of the greek modes.
"The mellow aulos and ceremonial percussion instruments of the Greek Theatre, set in twentieth century terms, was an irresistable notion" Roxburgh writes; the three movements use three clarinets, the E flat, basset or B flat and the bass, to achieve this modern parallel. The piece was commissioned in 1972 with funds made available by the Arts Council of Great Britain.