PHASES
The initial inspiration for the work was one particular chord. The chord is modeled after (an equally tempered approximation of) the overtone series, but it also contains notes which interfere with the harmonic spectrum. A harmonic progression based on the chord is heard twice during the piece. The form of the work is based on more or less contrasting sections of music which rotate and keep reappearing. The music seems to be going through ”phases” — hence the title. In some of the faster sections one might hear echoes of Stravinsky, Messiaen or even (a parody of) jazz. Somewhere in the middle of the piece, there’s also a dream-like section where a melody emerges but is abruptly cut off quite soon. Some remains of that dream-like atmosphere also occur at the end of the piece.