Ouverture spirituelle

Programme notes

This short composition opus 120 bears the title of overture, as it means exactly what it does, that is to “open” a symphonic concert. The French title pays homage to French being the international language in the 18th c., the period of the Enlightenment in Europe. Every musical style has its own code. In this composition I follow the codes of musical classicism in terms of instrumentation, structure, bar phrases, dithematism and most importantly in the manner of expressing emotions. Horizontally the music unfolds within periods of eight bars punctuated by the timpani. If you place a mirror horizontally on pitch of middle D, the music evolving above or under that pitch D are an exact reflection of each other. In French the adjective “spirituel” relates to all that what the human spirit conceives, to the human spirit, to the religious belief of the soul and to fine humour. With sonic pirouetees I have endeavoured to express these caracteristics. May this manifestation of the human spirit elicit a smile on the listeners’ face :-)

Handwritten sketches and drafts

to be found in chapter XIX of the white cover, A3 size, 600 pages sketchbook

Completion of the composition 

15-X-2018

Score follower

link #1

Recording

link #2 audio of the premiere