Into the Labyrinth ...

... well, that title is taken, but I'm finally working on my SNM commission: Labyrinth, for fl, cl, tpt, pf, and string quartet. It was going to be two movements separated by an interlude/cadenza. As I started working, it was clear to me that it had to be three movements separated by interludes. I wanted to write a six-part chorale setting, and it wasn't going to be a significant movement, so it will be part of a short middle movement.

The plan is to make it a mini double concerto, featuring violin and cello, but at this point in time the interludes will feature other instruments, probably trumpet and flute. Why? That's a long explanation, but I'll give you the short version. Last year, when I derived the sets for it, I wrote a short clarinet quartet, Time Knot, which was eventually going to be part of Labyrinth, a 9-movement monster with a solo movement for each instrument. That could easily balloon to a piece larger than my 18-20 minute commission. I've written the opening movement for clarinet, and a little of the second movement, but all that material was based on 6-notes sets (and a row divided into layers).

When I started Labyrinth, I opted for sets of 5 and 7 notes, based on the same row. They classify into functional units better than 6-note sets. Now, there is nothing saying that I have to use the same divisions for all the movements, but I want to use them differently, and I'm not convinced that they will fit together. I also wanted to use larger structures, which won't work in a piece of nine 1-3' movements.

Hence, the old Labyrinth is now Temps, which I'll work on when I am motivated and have time (no pun intended).

So why have interludes for trumpet and flute in a quasi-double concerto for violin and cello? I'm worried that violin and cello interludes will be too similar to Temps. Flute and trumpet are instruments that aren't in the other piece. I want the interludes to not be musically significant. Instead, they are active silence between movements and a break for the soloists. I may also have a free accompaniment in the piano (music not specifically synchronized with the soloist, more of a accompanimental texture). That may still change, but I'm almost finished with the draft of the first movement, so I'll have to make a decision on the first interlude soon.

Of course, I don't have to compose in order, but it just happens that the other movements are less fully-formed in my mind, and working from the beginning usually helps solidify them. In fact, the idea of the accompanied solo interlude came only as I was writing this article. We'll see what happens ultimately. It all may change as the draft coalesces.

I've also been asked for a quartet or quintet version of the piece for another performance, for which I might change or remove the interludes.

Stay tuned ...