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Work

Phlogiston : sextet

by Peggy Polias (2004)

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Kammerklang Beta

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Digital Audio Album

Kammerklang Beta : 2010-2014.

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Work Overview

The title of this work refers to a 17th century scientific theory that was eventually disproven, which hypothesised that combustion was caused by an element called phlogiston. Despite being incorrect, there is something hopeful and poetic about the concept that reminds me of theories of aether. I have tried to capture a lightness, optimism, and a sense of space in the music.

The work was inspired by the video/fire artwork Phlogiston (2009) by Keith Chidzey. Keith Chidzey's video artwork depicts a Ruben's Tube aflame, in mirror image. This gives the appearance of a horizontal band above and below which small flames flicker. I used this visual motif as my departure point in the music of Phlogiston, establishing a unison pitch, F, as a central band that all the instruments gradually enter on. They start to "flicker" to various notes above and below this point, and their gestures grow slowly from flickers into flourishes. Later, the flute and clarinet play a clear, slowly descending line over interlocking pizzicato strings that gradually reduce back down to flickers on the opening pitch F.

Work Details

Year: 2004

Instrumentation: Flute, clarinet in B flat, 2 violins, viola, cello.

Duration: 4 min.

Difficulty: Medium

First performance: by Kammerklang Chamber Orchestra at Kammerklang Ablaze (Music Workshop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music) on 6 Jun 2014

Analysis

Resonate article: Ablaze - inspired by fire and art by Peggy Polias

Subjects

Performances of this work

6 Jun 2014: at Kammerklang Ablaze (Music Workshop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music). Featuring Kammerklang Chamber Orchestra.

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