Goehr, Alexander - Symmetry Disorders Reach op. 73

For Alexander Goehr, like Schumann, teaching and fostering new ideas and talent has been an integral part of his life as a composer. In these 15 pieces he uses models (by Bach, Handel, Mozart and Schumann) to explore the creative act. “The disorders of the imagination, recorded as they present themselves, are to be ordered and extended in the hope of ‘reaching a symmetry’, or a ‘true gestalt’ [in the words of W.H. Auden, whose poem New Year Letter, 1940, provided the title and context for this project]. But the other way round might work too (and for many does): taking a symmetry (matrix) and making from it a luxuriant disorder. I hope that the possibility of comparing each piece with its appropriate model may give a particular pleasure, not unlike my pleasure in composing in this way.” (Alexander Goehr)

CONTENTS

Vol. 1:
Prelude
Invention
Capriccio
Fughetta
Chaconne
Moto perpetuo
Invention
Burlesque
Metric Maze
Vol. 2:
Litlle Harmonic Labyrinth
Little Harmonic Labyrith, Double
Air
Air, Double
Adagio
Vivo
Appendix:
J.S.Bach: Kleines harmonisches Labyrinth [Werke XXXVIII, Orgelwerke Vol. 3]
G.F. Handel: Air
W.A. Mozart: Adagio in h, KV540 [Serie IX, Vol. 2]
R. Schumann: No. 8 [Piano Solo I]