Transformations
Transformations is the first piece I composed after the long "break" (see Composer CV).
The piece is based on Swedish folk tunes, there are 4 short themes, and a longer (theme 5).
The 4 first are more like fragments, the source was an old woman, who probably could not remember the whole melody. Tune 5 is a beautiful, complete melody from another source.
Each theme is treated in it's own way:
Theme 1: counterpoint,
Theme 2: rhythm,
Theme 3: different harmonies,
Theme 4: a misterioso development.
Afterwards, all themes are put together and mixed in a development sequence, there is a pre-presentation of theme 5 in the middle of this rather chaotic episode, and after a big glissando, theme 5 is properly introduced by cello 5, 6 and 7. Theme 5 becomes melody in 2 choral-like versions, and the piece is ended with a recapitulation of theme 1.
The 4 excerpts are: start, beginning of Theme 3, a section from Theme 4 and at last some material with Theme 5.
The Finale music notation program simulations (that are used for most of the excerpts), are far from perfect. I could have used recordings from an actual performance, but the simulations provide a "neutral" interpretation, and together with the score, they give a fairly relevant picture of the music in question.