Sleeping Water : [for clarinet, viola and piano]

Abstract

Textural density is described as a theoretical technique (Schillinger System of Musical Composition. New York: C. Fischer, 1946).but never fully demonstrated. In Sleeping Water I have set out to show that it can be applied artistically and not be confined, as in the original text, to the most obvious orchestral groups. Complex rhythmic patterns, phrases of melody or textures can be treated as units to be assigned to instruments resulting in sophisticated and coordinated musical organisms, rhythmically fluctuating in texture and density. Lumina is significant because it is the only published composition demonstrating textural density techniques with rigour and clarity.