PROGRAMME NOTE

‘The pendulum swings until he can’t no more’ moves through time and space as if on a pendulum. Zooming in and out on small events, such as a bird singing or the wind blowing, to large scale existential questions: visiting both moments of overwhelming fear and ecstasy. Racing through our minds we see a multitude of events and in doing so avoid the present, however the pendulum cannot swing from one extreme to the next forever. Eventually it slows down and stops. Leaving us accepting present realities, the world becomes much more focused, peaceful, and content. Nature takes the forefront as being immersed in the present becomes not only possible, but easy.

The piece explores two main musical motifs throughout. These are developed and reiterated in different contexts throughout the piece. Representing anxieties about running out of time and not finding contentment or happiness, these motifs move through a multitude of conditions before slowing down into a harp melody where acceptance and breath take the forefront in an almost meditative music state.