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Shadow-play (1984) |
2 oboes, cor anglais - 10'
A multiphonic sound on an oboe is made up of a complex relationship of multiple harmonics. The prominent tones make up a distinctive chord, but they are shrouded by shadows of less audible harmonics covering a wide range of frequencies. These shadows are reminiscent of shadow-play, in which fleeting images create the illusion of things real.
In the piece these characteristics relate to fragmentary musical events derived from the multiphonic sounds. They form an interplay of counterpoint for the three instruments, sometimes imitating, sometimes transforming, but always responding to each other's material in the manner of shadows.
© Edwin Roxburgh