Chronographie II for string orchestra

The basic idea of the “Chronographies” is to compose a series of pieces that are independent of each other, but all based on a minimum unifying material of 5 notes (C, E, B, G, A), which can of course be transposed. There are currently twelve “Chronographies” for various formations.

In Chronographie II (1992), this motif appears in long values from the beginning of the piece. It is displayed in canon by each lectern of the orchestra, with the lecterns gradually lengthening the values to create an increasingly tight polyphonic fabric. A first climax then appears which leads us straight to the second part. This one, much more rhythmic, uses two themes that will end up superimposing and fighting each other before bringing the initial climax back to the beginning of the third part. The unifying motif then returns and is transformed into a harmonic base on which several melodies are grafted that cumulate into a second climax. The piece ends in a dreamlike atmosphere in which fragments of the theme of the second part reappear, like a nostalgic memory. A version for keyboard quintet was also realized by the composer.

Two CD recordings by I Musici Brucellencis and Zofia Wislocka are available, one made in the studio (Senza Nome label 91002), the other made live in Warsaw in 2001 (Dux label 0373).

World premiere on 20th April 1996 the Nuove Musiche Ensemble (dir. Eric Lederhandler) in Brussels.