Oktagonon

Abstract

Oktagonon was written to accommodate the unusual instrumentation of the LSU New Music Ensemble, which consisted of three clarinets, three percussionists, piano, guitar, trumpet, viola, bassoon and tuba. The title Oktagonon is a Greek word meaning “eight angles.” Here it refers to the three octatonic scales which are used in this composition.

A free section performed mainly by the three clarinets and the bassoons acts as a ritornello idea that controls the form of the piece. It is followed by rhythmic sections leading to a modal melody. This melody keeps repeating itself by adding instruments and therefore increasing its density. This leads to the climax of the piece just before the final note. The composer had in his mind the Bolero by Ravel.