Music Finland Core

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The work takes its title from an astronomical term referring to the boundary in a black hole beyond which space and time are warped to the point that light can no longer escape. It is an intensely emotional piece, stemming from reflections on the immensity of the universe and my own place in it. The title was merely a catalyst, an image that sparked the creative process. I was also affected greatly by the spaciousness and subtle intricacies of Eastern music – the gamelan music of Bali in particularly. Much of the resulting music is reminiscent of the ringing of bells or gongs, which in so many cultures has great ceremonial and spiritual importance. I saw it as a sort of symbol of connection between the natural and metaphysical worlds. At its core, Event Horizons is a kind of intense rite of passage, a quest for ultimate understanding, and perhaps reaches it, at least in part.The three movements are cyclical in that they all share thematic material. The first movement begins quietly with the notes Ab and Bb, with the two instruments absorbing one another’s thematic ideas. The movement is all fits and starts, reaching one climax after another, only to start again on the same two notes. After the stormy conclusion of the first movement, the second starts ominously. It was inspired by the Hindu myth of the dance of Shiva, the simultaneous creation and destruction of the universe. Flying by in asymmetrical meters until it comes to a halt in the more contemplative, but equally active middle section. The dance begins again, becoming wilder and more uncontrolled as it finishes its headlong rush, crashing into the third movement without a pause. Over a sustained rumble in the piano, the saxophone intones a chant-like theme, which is then varied seven times. The variations encompass the main musical ideas of the first two movements, but ultimately put aside all complexity of development and seek their own resolution in the two notes which began the work.Shortly after beginning the first movement, I was given a book of poems by Octavio Paz, one of which seemed to capture the mood of the piece precisely. That same day, Paz died. This coincidence was so powerful that the poem became a kind of guide as I worked on the piece:I am a man: little do I lastand the night is enormous.But I look up:the stars write.Unknowing I understand,I too am written,and at this very momentsomeone spells me out.© Matthew Whittall

Year of composing

Arranger

Movements

Availability

Abbreviation	Instrument
Woodwind
acl	alto clarinet
afl	alto flute
arec	alto recorder
asax	alto saxophone
barsax	baritone saxophone
barhn	baritone horn
bcl	bass clarinet
bfl	bass flute
bob	bass oboe
bsax	bass saxophone
bsn	bassoon
cbsn	contrabassoon
cl	clarinet
ehn	English horn
fl	flute
hn	French horn
ob	oboe
pic	piccolo
rec	recorder
sax	saxophone
srec	soprano recorder
ssax	soprano saxophone
trec	tenor recorder
tsax	tenor saxophone
Brass
ahn	alto horn
atrb	altotrombone
barhn	baritone horn
btrb	bass trombone
cornet	cornet
euph	euphonium
fhn	flugelhorn
hn	French horn
tba	tuuba
thn	tenor horn
trb	trombone
trp	trumpet
Percussion
dr	drums
glock	glockenspiel
mar	marimba
perc	percussion
timp	timpani
vibr	vibraphone
xyl	xylophone
Strings
db	double bass
gamba	viola da gamba
str	strings
vla	viola
vlc	cello
vln	violin
Other
acc	accordion
cel	celesta
cemb	harpsichord
chords	chords
elbas	electric bass
elg	electric guitar
elorg	electric organ
elpno	electric piano
guit	guitar
harm	harmonium
hca	harmonica
hp	harp
instr	instrument
kantele	kantele
keyb	keyboard
live electr	live electronics
mand	mandolin
mel	melody
org	organ
pno	piano
synth	synthesizer
tape	tape
Vocal
alto	alto
baryt	baritone
basso	bass voice
ch	choir
chc	childrens choir
chf	female choir
chm	male choir
chx	mixed choir
cten	countertenor
mezzo	mezzo-soprano
sopr	soprano
speaker	speaker
ten	tenor
voc	vocal

Symphony orchestra
2222 4331 11 1, str = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 French horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, one other percussionist, harp and strings
Wind band
2252 3 423 21212 3 = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 5 clarinets, 2 bassoons - 3 saxophones - 4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones - 2 cornets, alto horn, 2 tenor horns, baritone horn, 2 tubas - 3 percussionists
Big band
221 4 4, pno, guit, db, dr = 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, guitar, double bass, drums
Additional codes
+	fl+pic = flutist doubles on piccolo
/	pno/org = can be played on either piano or organ
lib	ad libitum
obl	obligato
str	str: 65432 = specified number of string players
str min	str min: 65432 = at least 65432
str max	str max: 65432 = not more than 65432
solo	vln solo = violin is the solo instrument in a work not obviously for solo violin