Swan Song (2007)

Swan Song is the first of a group of works that comes under the title Voice Without Words and makes use of the rhythmic character of a short motif generated from a vocal extract, along with other 'intimate' vocal utterances that explore notions of innocence, surprise and curiosity. The vocal utterances build into dense textures, which are dynamically transformed into tonal and harmonic materials to either create cadential statements, or to harmonically support other vocal materials. The rhythmic qualities of the material are explored both chronometrically and within irregular time patterns. Although it is hoped that the listener will experience emotional qualities as an emphatic response through the listening process, no lexical indications are given to present an established language more commonly associated with syntactical organisation (for example, the syntax of English). However, from a semantic point-of-view, such vocal externalisations and treatments are likely to be perceived as suggested psychological states. Chronometric rhythms are derived from the vocal materials. The piece was conceived in both stereo and 5.1 surround formats.