Programme Notes
The Silken Thread (Chamber Ensemble)
The preliminary inspiration for The Silken Thread began with reading about Labyrinths and the Greek Legends of Theseus and Ariadne. However, the Labyrinth as portrayed in The Silken Thread represents more of a catalyst for a progression of thoughts or an imaginary journey, rather than an actual depiction of a Labyrinth. The ‘thread’ of the piece is an arrangement of notes which begins in fragments at the very opening and can be heard throughout most of the piece in various forms. Although the thread sometimes slips away (one of the ideas behind the Silken of the title), it always returns, as though it is pulling or guiding the listener through the music.There are three stages to the journey through a Labyrinth: the inward journey, the centre and the outward journey, and I used this as a basis on which to build the structure of the piece.
The short introductory section introduces, in rapid succession, fragments of most of the material developed later on. In addition to the material of the ‘thread’ there are four other musical elements, each representing a different thought or idea. Later on in the piece these often directly oppose and conflict with one another.
The start of section 2, the inward journey, is marked by the introduction of a final musical idea, representing the darkness of the Labyrinth. Throughout this section there is a gradual pull towards the centre of the piece, where some temporary calm is reached, before the struggle of the outward journey begins and the listener is dragged upwards and towards the light.