Saxophone and Small Ensemble

2023 | 6′

Soprano saxophone + 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, piano, vibraphone

Commissioned by the Ryedale Festival
Premiered by the Jess Gillam Ensemble

I imagined a music spun in the shape of an ellipse.  As if a sound might orbit around a centre point, moving now closer and then spinning into the distance. This revolving force – say, a saxophone – might pull other sonic objects into its gravity, which each too would rotate in their own elliptical patterns. I imagined these shapes blooming and receding, coming into focus and then drifting away.