Work
The Enchanted Loom : Symphony No. 8 : full orchestra
by Carl Vine (2018)
Also known as: Symphony No. 8
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CD
The Enchanted Loom : Orchestral music of Carl Vine / Melbourne Symphony Orchestra & Sir Andrew Davis.
Library shelf no. CD 3272 [Not for loan]
Score
The Enchanted Loom : Symphony No. 8 / Carl Vine.
Library shelf no. Q 784.2/VIN 9 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
The term Enchanted Loom was coined in the 1930s by British
neuroscientist Sir Charles Sherrington to depict the function of
the human brain as it weaves together our personal impression of
the outside world and constructs, from raw sensory data, our
internal sense of location, identity, and "mind". This poetic
reference to the Jacquard loom reflects only certain aspects of
brain function, yet it has resonated with generations of
neurologists since then.
This symphony conjures five imagined states of brain function.
i. the loom awakens
In his book "Man on his Nature" Sherrington imagines a brain
emerging from sleep. "The brain is waking and with it the mind is
returning. It is as if the Milky Way entered upon some cosmic
dance. Swiftly the head mass becomes an enchanted loom where
millions of flashing shuttles weave a dissolving pattern … a
shifting harmony of subpatterns." A few pounds of fatty tissue
floating inside our skull commences its daily task of recreating
our sense of place in the universe, weaving perception into
recognisable structure.
ii. the social fabric
Viewing society as a fabric woven of contrasting elements is
especially apt from the perspective of an enchanted loom.
Although aspects of our social role derive from external factors
like genetics and historical accident, our ultimate sense of
belonging is produced by our minds. Happiness is unlikely without
acceptance by and usefulness within a community.
iii. sheer invention
The source of creativity is endlessly fascinating. I am drawn to
Oliver Sacks' studies in hallucination suggesting that unexpected
images and unprecedented concepts are a natural byproduct of
random brain cell activity, possibly even influenced by the
geometry and topography of the brain itself. Even if brains are
weaving machines they can still surprise us.
iv. euphoria
Euphoric states serve many useful biological functions. They are
generated entirely within the brainpan and delivered to our
sensory systems, often without prompting, as reward, enticement,
or both.
v. imagining infinity
One of the most astonishing feats of our brains is the ability to
conceptualise and picture as concrete entities the very
boundaries of the universe. We have to accept that our personal
identity is manufactured by these lumps of grey tissue floating
inside our heads, but the fact that they are simultaneously able
to contemplate the edges of infinity is truly awesome.
Work Details
Year: 2018
Instrumentation: Piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets in Bb, bass clarinet in Bb, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in C, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (4 players) [I: tamtam, 2 wood blocks, snare drum, crash cymbals, 3 suspended cymbals; II: bass drum, 3 low concert tomtoms; III: glockenspiel, xylophone, 4 tuned gongs, medium tamtam/gong; IV: bell tree, triangle, large suspended cymbal, crotales], harp, strings.
Duration: 25 min.
Difficulty: Advanced
Contents note: i. the loom awakens -- ii. the social fabric -- iii. sheer invention -- iv. euphoria -- v. imagining infinity.
Commission note: Commissioned by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
First performance: by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis at MSO: Vine and Holst (Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne) on 30 Aug 2018
Subjects
- In the form/style of: Symphonies
Performances of this work
1 Sep 2018: at MSO: Vine and Holst (Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne). Featuring Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis.
30 Aug 2018: at MSO: Vine and Holst (Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne). Featuring Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis.
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