Northern Light
Steve Layton
About this work:
For "imaginary" orchestra of strings, two horns, bass drum, and two electronic "instrumental choirs". Softly tense, cold and warm at the same time. Musically, most of the elements of the piece (orchestration, tunings, progressions, etc.) exist in some place that constantly wavers between the expected and the irrational. Progressions "crumble" more than "cadence", forms begin to show traditional structures, only to disappear again into static "clouds". The harmonies are almost always some mix of both equal-tempered pitches mixed with microtones that vary anywhere from 1/8th to 3/4ths sharp or flat from the 12tet reference; but it's not completely systematic, and the actual intervals are chosen intuitively.
Year composed: 2002
Duration: 00:09:00
Ensemble type: Electronic Instruments and Sound Sources:Unknown
Instrumentation: 2 Horn in F, 1 Percussion (General), 25 Strings (General), 1 Prerecorded Sound (Tape/CD/Other)
Instrumentation notes: May be realized purely electronically, or as mix of real and "virtual" instrumentation.