Midnight Whispers
Midnight Whispers began as an assignment in my post-tonal theory course. The final project was to create a piece using some of the concepts we had learned about in the class. Midnight Whispers took shape using two of these concepts: a 12-tone matrix and set theory. With these two ideas in hand, I began to write.
The piece is scored for a woodwind quartet (fl., ob., cl., bsn.). The opening section is based on a 12-tone series, which was created using a random number generator. The prime form of this matrix, however, is not heard until the very end of the piece when it is played as a series of three tetrachords between the instruments. Until that point, various inversions, rotations, and retrogrades of that 12-tone row are used. The rows I used were also determined by a random number generator. Each phrase in this section is rhythmically palindromic, meaning the first of the phrase presents one rhythm, then the second half reverses that rhythm.
The middle section of the piece uses a very strict set (0246). This set is the first four notes of the whole-tone scale. Since this set contains a very noticeable tritone between its first and last notes, the sets come across in a very dissonant and harsh manner. These dissonances are presented in such a way, however, that they are not incredibly overbearing. Not only are each individual set strictly held to 0246, but the vertical harmonies are also set this way, to add to the dissonance.
The beginning section returns after a climax (right at the golden mean). New variations of the original 12-tone row are used, but the same rhythms are copied to keep some semblance of sameness. Not only are the rhythms in this section palindromic, but the piece as a whole is dynamically palindromic. It functions are one large swell from the quietest dynamic at the beginning, the loudest at the golden mean, and back down to the quietest at the end.
This piece is more fun to listen to and analyze than anything, but if your woodwind quartet is interested in performing it, I’m sure you’ll have fun doing so!
Recent Performances:
October 31st, 2021 - Student Composers Concert #2 at SUNY Fredonia - Rosch Recital Hall