By:

• Jonathan Besser

Instrumentation:

3223*; 4431; timp., perc. (2), hp; strings Percussion (2 players): various cymbals, bow, vibraphone, gong (tam tam), triangle, chimes, snare drum

Availability

• This work has 2 scores and a recording

Programme Note

This is atmospheric and layered music.

Compositionally the whole work is strictly structured on a 12 note Tone Row. The Tone Row used throughout is made up of a string of major and minor thirds. Normally these thirds are the building blocks of triadic harmony – they make the difference between sad and happy, simple and complex chords. In this music the thirds exist as augmented chords, slowly moving around the orchestral sections, acting both tonally and atonally.

I composed this piece leading up to flying back too New York City in June 2005. It is a mediation on the New York Night skyline reflecting on the dark Hudson River.

Difficulty:

Advanced

Difficulty Note:

Suitable for performance by professional and semi-professional orchestras

Performance History

	03 May 2006	Performed by the NZSO, conductor Hamish McKeich

Awards

• Douglas Lilburn Prize (2006)
  

  Reflections in Thirds , for orchestra by Jonathan Besser was a Finalist for the Douglas Lilburn Prize in 2006