'In Ictu Oculi: Three Meditations,' duration c.17 minutes, in two versions: for wind orchestra (2015), and orchestra (2017).
- Submitting institution
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Royal College of Music
- Unit of assessment
- 33 - Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies
- Output identifier
- 11
- Type
- J - Composition
- Month
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- Year
- 2017
- URL
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http://researchonline.rcm.ac.uk/id/eprint/194/
- Supplementary information
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- Request cross-referral to
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- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
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- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- No
- Number of additional authors
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0
- Research group(s)
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- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- In comparison to my 'derivata' work Inscrizone for violin and piano, the instrumental textures of the original In Ictu Oculi are more expansive, given the original palette of a large wind orchestra. The block choir scoring of winds and use of percussion is however, and intentionally, more severe. In producing the second related model of the work, I sought to superimpose additional colour, contours, and materials onto the scaffolding of the first. In creating the enlarged version, the use of orchestral colours was blended with those not previously utilized in this context, particularly the use of four saxophones as an integral part of the orchestral mass. Metaphors of ‘pathways’, namely differences between labyrinth and maze, underpin musical parameters and structures in both works, but in producing the orchestral version I set out to enhance the 'maze' metaphor by entwining denser material around the original through the addition of the string orchestra. Dilation and displacement in the derived work alter colour and perspective, and therefore meaning, conveyed by the original. Balance of the additional instrumental colours and musical materials, as well as the increase of formal space was carefully calibrated, building on processes developed in previous ‘derivata’ works of mine. The resulting work greatly intensifies the drama, enhancing the 'grieving space' projected from the first model. Wind Orchestra version: won the ‘Wind or Brass Band’ category of the Ivors British Composer awards, 2017 and has been performed in the UK, Europe and the USA. Orchestral version: first performance BBC National Orchestra of Wales with Christoph Matthias Mueller. Both works broadcast by BBC Radio 3 and other European broadcasters. Orchestral version released on Paladino Music, 2018; in The Times top 100 releases of 2018. The disc was in the BBC Music Magazine Orchestral choice, January 2019.
- Author contribution statement
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- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
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