Work Overview
Although an abstract work, Mirages was born of a perception of
the dichotomy between the transitory nature of all things and the
illusion of 'progress'.
In the first and third movements, the interval of a 3rd is like
the simple basic cry of he child, the innocent. In the first
movement, it is as if this exists even before sound becomes aware
of itself, then going on through a number of manifestations from
various cultures until innocence is lost in a babel of
voices.
In the second movement, the stars sing in the clear brilliance of
the desert night sky. The third movement, returning to earth as
it were, seeks to recapture its lost youth.
But the primitive urge gives way to the pounding beat of the
Machine - as in the reproductive chant of the copying
machine.
This is the composer's first attempt at a full orchestral work.
Work Details
Year: 2006
Instrumentation: Piccolo, 2 flutes (1st doubling shakuhachi), alto flute, 2 oboes, cor anglais, clarinet in B flat, clarinet in A, bass clarinet in B flat, 2 bassoons, contra-bassoon, didjeridu, 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in C, tenor trombone, bass trombone, tuba, piccolo timpani, percussion (2 players), celesta, harp, strings.
Duration: 8 min.
Contents note: When it was green -- Desert with stars -- Carbon dating.
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