Nebulae for guitar quartet / ensemble (2012)
Winner of 2012 Austin Classical Guitar Society Composition Competition.
I wanted to write a guitar ensemble piece that used some elements of minimalism, but would not be strictly minimalistic. Since I am fascinated by all things about space, I chose “Nebulae” as an evocative title which reflects the “nebulous” effect of multiple superimposed guitar ostinatos.
“This piece won the 2012 Austin Classical GUitar Society Composition Competition. The composer also won in 2009 with another work reviewed here recently. A slow introduction with ringing notes and harmonics ends in a simple but delicious chord. And then the fun begins - 7/8 time is always interesting, but it also needs a quartet or ensemble that can play tightly in irregular time, at speed. But the mood is exciting and a lot of effect is generated from quite straightforward notes. Although the music moves back to 6/8 there is some effective writing using plain crotchets, generating a triplet effect above the two dotted crotchets in the bass that drive the music forward. So there are rhythmic challenges (on the players side of the fence) and exciting swirling changes of accent (on the audience side). I have to say that I love the effect all this generates - the mix of harmonies, irregular time and gentle dissonance set over deep bass notes truly does create a ball of chaos with an almost twinkling on top. The 7/8 section returns and the mood again becomes unquiet, slowly building tension and unrest. The presence of bare fifths, though relieved here and there, makes a barren feel pervade the structure. And then - well, then the performance indication says all. I think one has to emulate it. rather than do it. as. it says ‘Supernova explosion’. and divisi parts generate notes from fret 19 of the top string right down to bottom E. And then the piece dies away - repeating a simple 7/8 sequence as the parts drop into inaudibility like a brutal thunderstorm heading off over the horizon. Not hard - Grade 6 in terms of notes - but requiring a refined sense of rhythm and counting, so that the parts interlock, so definitely not for the inexperienced ensemble player - there’s a real need to listen and react to those around one. All the parts are easy on the eye and the page turns are well chosen. There is no fingering, but the dynamics are lush and need to be observed. Very effective. provided the team of players is up to the job of playing fast in 7/8.”