1932

Brown, Kevin George

About the work

1932 is inspired by the painting of the same name by Ben Nicholson. The music comprises 3 simultaneous parts or layers: a constant background surface texture, brief sporadic melodic fragments and a subdued reiterative melodic line. No beginning or end is defined as such in the score, rather a conductor/director cues an entry an exit point to the work. The harmonic framework of the piece is exclusively based on the numbers 1, 9, 3, 2. Alleatory/improvisatory elements are common throughout; the main melodic line is freely governed by the conductor/director, whilst individual instrumentalists randomly and independently perform the abstract melodic fragments and subtle shifts of background texture. The variable length and content of this piece allows for a different spontaneous, though structured performance each time.

Origin

Calls for Pieces entry: Tate Liverpool 2002