Work
La variazione enigmatica : for trumpet
by Andrián Pertout (2018)
Also known as: The Enigmatic Variation
Score
La variazione enigmatica : for trumpet / Andrián Pertout.
Library shelf no. 788.92/PER 1 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
La variazione enigmatica or The Enigmatic Variation was especially composed for Sydney-based trumpeter Harriet Channon as part of the Melbourne Composers' League Elbow Room Festival. The work utilizes the 'Aria' melody from Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Goldberg' Variations, BWV 988 (1741) as the source material for its structural organization.Probability theory (based on first-order Markov chain techniques) provides the compositional process with an inspirational aid. Bach's work (originally composed for harpsichord) consists of an aria and a set of 30 variations. Interesting to note is that it is the fragmented passacaglia-like 32-note bass line that forms the basis for its variations, not the aria theme. The theme, presented in the 32-bar aria is binary in structure, and La variazione enigmatica provides a platform for the stochastic analysis of the aria theme, which ultimately delivers the machinations of its formalist essence. The stochastic methodology involves a first-order Markov chain two-stage process that establishes both a 'transition event order' and 'normalized probability distribution' for each four of the 8-bar sections of the original 32-bar composition, which may then be applied as an either 'subjective' or 'objective' process in the actual creation of melodic materials. The four 8-bar sections, which delineate the keys of G major, D major, E minor and G major have been evaluated separately, to be then consolidated as basic scale degrees in the final normalized probability distribution chart of the 32-bar melodic structure.
Work Details
Year: 2018
Instrumentation: Trumpet.
Duration: 3 min.
Difficulty: Advanced — Professional
Written for: Harriet Channon
First performance: by Harriet Channon — 30 Sep 18. Melbourne Composers’ League ‘Elbow Room Festival, Barn Gallery, Montsalvat, Eltham, Melbourne
The composer notes the following styles, genres, influences, etc associated with the work:
The Goldberg Variations BWV 988 (1741) by J.S. Bach, probability yheory, Markov chains, Olivier Messiaen’s modes of limited transposition.
Performances of this work
29 May 22: Rogue Pop-up Gallery, Redfern, Sydney, Australia
2 Aug 20: Harbord Park, Freshwater, Sydney, Australia. Featuring Harriet Channon.
16 Dec 19: St Stephen’s Uniting Church, Sydney, Australia. Featuring Harriet Channon.
22 Mar 19: St Stephen’s Uniting Church, Sydney, Australia. Featuring Harriet Channon.
30 Sep 18: Melbourne Composers’ League ‘Elbow Room Festival, Barn Gallery, Montsalvat, Eltham, Melbourne. Featuring Harriet Channon.
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