About this work:
Ex Nihilo is a Latin phrase meaning “out of nothing” or “from nothing.” Its most common use occurs in theology with the phrase creatio ex nihilo, which means “creation from nothing.”
In classical philosophy, ex nihilo also appears in the phrase ex nihilo nihil fit, which means “out of nothing comes nothing.”
In mathematics, a solution to a problem can be called ex nihilo if it appears without a working.
In military organization, a unit is ex nihilo if it forms without significant members of other units.
In computer programming, a created object is called ex nihilo if it does not use another object as its prototype.
My piece explores all these meanings.
Structurally, the piece is in a rough arch form, with the center section acting as a sort of fulcrum upon which the piece undergoes several transformations. Harmonically, the piece is a mixture of octatonic, chromatic, and diatonic elements, all freely juxtaposed with one another. Another notable element of the piece is the use of polymeter, which occurs in multiple episodes throughout, achieving its highest complexity in the climax.
This piece explores the creation and evolution of musical materials and everything that can happen in between. In those spaces lie vast potential.