Widdershins
Judith Shatin
About this work:
“Widdershins” is a little-known English word meaning contrary or counterclockwise. When I first heard the word, in conversation with my father, I was taken with its sound; when I learned its meaning, I realized how suggestive it was for musical interpretation. The three-movement piece that resulted, completed in 1983, reflects the title in intervallic choices, motivic relationships and contours. The word “widdershins” also suggested the transformations of the piece’s harmonic surface, the background of which consists of three seventh chords - chords that between them use the entire twelve-note collection.
The first movement, “Energetic”, is full of syncopated twists and turns . The second movement, “Tranquil,” uses the same harmonic background, but draws it out in a lush, even luxrious, manner. The third movement, “Savage,” whirls to the close. Widdershins was commissioned by Music-At-LaGesse Foundation and premiered at the Kennedy Center in November, 1983. It is published by Arsis Press
Year composed: 1983
Duration: 00:08:30
Ensemble type: Keyboard:Piano
Instrumentation: 1 Piano
Instrumentation notes: pno