Cymbals: Reminiscence is divided into two movements: Ostinato and Reminiscence. Ostinato starts with a rhythmically reiterated phrase performed by a pair of cymbals, punctuated by strong attacks. As this short statement progresses with the cymbal statements becoming busy and irregular, the close spatial perspective widens when the first clashing of cymbals take place. As the piece develops, new materials are brought into the scene, interacting with each other and creating a dense musical flow. Reminiscence starts with a slowly evolving drone. As the pace of change in the piece gradually increases, the musical discourse briefly quotes two of my previous works, Autumn Space (1991, tape) and Latitudes Emaranhadas (1992-93, for solo cello and electroacoustic sounds). These quotations are intended to be integrated in the piece’s own structural framework, and Reminiscence refer to shared materials and techniques.

One of the important features of this piece is the simultaneous exploration of different materials with very particular and contrasting spatial behaviours. The degree to which spatial polyphony is explored varies considerably throughout the work. This simultaneity may be exposed in a continuous way, enabling the listener to pinpoint the different spatial settings, or it may evolve into more complex situations. For instance when the changes become intensely intermingled, encouraging the listener to search for a common denominator between the contrasting spatial articulations and thereby constructing new listening scenarios. This interplay is dramatically explored along with the complex textures created throughout the work in order to make Cymbals: Reminiscence a dense and intense listening experience.

This work was composed in the Electroacoustic Music Studio of the University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK) in 1992-93. Cymbals: Reminiscence was selected at the 5th International Rostrum of Electroacoustic Music (IREM) in Helsinki (1994).

Premiere

• July 30, 1993, Sounds Real, Adam Concert Room — Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music — NZSM Kelburn Campus, Wellington (New Zealand)

Awards

• 2nd prize, Fixed medium, Concorso internazionale Luigi Russolo di musica elettroacustica 1993, Varèse (Italy)
• Prize, 5th International Rostrum of Electroacoustic Music (IREM) 1994 — Helsinki