Mandolinata Suite: for a group of mandolins

Abstract

This composition is part of a stage work entitled Dreams, Earth, and Heavens. All three preludes are based on a single musical idea that has been important in my life as a composer. In the first prelude, melodic lines from the First Delphic Hymn (c.138 B.C.) are used. The second prelude is based on palindromic phrases. The final prelude is modal in nature and is derived from my opera, Antigone. This composition can be performed as a separate piece. Each movement introduces an event in the stage work and reflects the general ambience of the event. The first prelude represents Dreams, the second Earth, and the last Heavens.