Music of the last 25 years

This symphony is concerned with miniaturisation, self-similarity and transformation. The shorter preview movements are ‘fast-forwarded’ representations of the longer movements which themselves respond to pictures by the Dutch graphic artist, M.C. Escher whose work in general addresses these issues.

 

Double planet (1949) shows two regular tetrahedrons intersecting as if they were one world. There are in fact two separate worlds: one a jungle with trees, mountains and dinosaurs, and the other a construction of palaces and bridges occupied by humans. It’s a strange, uneasy proposition that (over half a century) might be interpreted as human beings being out of touch with the natural environment – creating for themselves an ivory tower from which they can view the jungle at a safe distance.

 

Day and Night (1938) is also symmetrical in design. The flock of birds that fly over the rural city and farmlands magically transform in direction (backwards & forwards), colour (black & white) and time (day & night).

 

The work was commissioned by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and is dedicated to my mother, Elizabeth Scarlett – herself a pianist and scholar with a PhD in Poulenc and a constant source of musical inspiration and heritage to me.