The MusMap Composition Database

Tensility-Vortex

Year composed: 2007
Duration: 10 mins
Instrumentation: Soloist Oboe, Flute, Clarinet in Bb, Violin, Cello, Piano
Program Notes: Tensility-Vortex was written in 2007 and uses as its basis the concept of stretching a vortex, or the elasticity of a vortex. This vortex is represented by the main thematic idea of the work; a whirlpool-like surging homophonic or chordal texture that is stretched in various ways. The rhythm of this texture is stretched and distorted by altering the rhythmic length of its surges into both regular and irregular time signatures. The pitch of these textures is also often stretched as each pitch is detuned over a particular fundamental from one chord into another. The pitch material used in this work is based largely on the Harmonic Series or spectral harmony and has as its basis four chords that use intervals of the Harmonic Series. These chords are �inharmonic�, use many microtonal intervals and are often subjected to various transformations such as filtering and augmentation. The musical processes begin however with �harmonic� or natural spectra and gradually make way for the more dissonant �inharmonic� ones. Over these textures appears the Oboe, which has a semi-soloistic role. This melodic idea is often the main focus and is supported by the Piano and provides contrast to the homophonic textures found in the other instruments. Apart from the finale section, most of the work has a very rigid and turbulent feel. The creation of Tensility-Vortex was made possible with funds from the NSW State Government�s Western Sydney Artist Fellowship in 2007 and was first performed at the University of Western Sydney with Celia Craig as the oboe soloist and conducted by Richard Craig on September 18 2008.
Recordings: Sample Included: Recorded at the University of Western Sydney on September 18 2008. Conducted by Richard Craig, Solo Oboist Celia Craig.
Additional Information: This work is currently not published, please contact the composer directly to obtain scores. prestissimomusic@yahoo.com.au