Hubert Howe

Orchestra 2-2+Eh-2+bscl-2+cbsn, piano, strings

Composer's Note:

Expansions 2 is a piece that states a simple underlying musical structure, where each note is then "expanded" by a sequence of other notes, both harmonically and melodically. The expansions are stated in rhythms that extend the original note and span as much as three measures. In most of the piece, the original structure is stated in the woodwinds and the expansions in the strings. The expansions range from as little as three notes to as many as nine. The textures sometimes become very dense, with multiple overlappings and extensions. Once stated, notes longer than a few beats fade in a diminuendo, and much of the surface of the piece is dominated by notes fading out as others keep entering. The piece alternates sections of various densities and dynamics, and, in the middle, the expansions become extended melodies. A climax occurs when the expansions include both harmonies and melodies, after which the work returns to the opening texture. The piece was written in the fall of 2017.

Expansions 2 is the second work developing an idea which I originally created in a piece of electronic music. In other compositions that I have written, each tone includes several different components that fade in and out over the course of the duration. However, in most of those cases, the components were inharmonic. Expansions (1) (not yet orchestrated) was the first work I attempted where the components were themselves tempered pitches, and thus capable of being played by separate instruments.