The Pattern Wheel: Suite for Harp Solo
The Pattern Wheel: Suite for Harp Solo is an advanced-level work for pedal harp solo. The Pattern Wheel: Suite for Harp Solo originated from my love of finding patterns in music and is based upon two patterns: number and color. I experience synesthesia which highly influences the way I see, play, hear, and write music.
The first pattern is the compositional fabric: the reverse consecutive order of numbers five through one, each number corresponding to the interval, key signature, and meter. In the second pattern, I see a specific color in my mind with each interval. The interval of a fifth is blue, the interval of a fourth is green, and so on. I chose keys with flats because they sound the most resonant on the harp thus producing richer colors in my mind.
The introduction, indigointro, establishes the 5-4-3-2-1 intervallic relationships and presents the first melody. The first movement bluefive is in 5/4 meter, has five flats in the key signature, and utilizes the interval of a fifth throughout. The second movement greenfour is in 4/4 meter, has four flats, and is based on the interval of a fourth. The next two movements yellowthree and orangetwo follow the same patterns of number and color. The last movement redone restates the prominent motives from all prior material. The finale is a flourish of colorful harmonies, sweeping arpeggios, and grand chords.
The Pattern Wheel: Suite for Harp Solo is an advanced-level work for pedal harp solo. The Pattern Wheel: Suite for Harp Solo originated from my love of finding patterns in music and is based upon two patterns: number and color. I experience synesthesia which highly influences the way I see, play, hear, and write music.
The first pattern is the compositional fabric: the reverse consecutive order of numbers five through one, each number corresponding to the interval, key signature, and meter. In the second pattern, I see a specific color in my mind with each interval. The interval of a fifth is blue, the interval of a fourth is green, and so on. I chose keys with flats because they sound the most resonant on the harp thus producing richer colors in my mind.
The introduction, indigointro, establishes the 5-4-3-2-1 intervallic relationships and presents the first melody. The first movement bluefive is in 5/4 meter, has five flats in the key signature, and utilizes the interval of a fifth throughout. The second movement greenfour is in 4/4 meter, has four flats, and is based on the interval of a fourth. The next two movements yellowthree and orangetwo follow the same patterns of number and color. The last movement redone restates the prominent motives from all prior material. The finale is a flourish of colorful harmonies, sweeping arpeggios, and grand chords.
The Pattern Wheel: Suite for Harp Solo is an advanced-level work for pedal harp solo. The Pattern Wheel: Suite for Harp Solo originated from my love of finding patterns in music and is based upon two patterns: number and color. I experience synesthesia which highly influences the way I see, play, hear, and write music.
The first pattern is the compositional fabric: the reverse consecutive order of numbers five through one, each number corresponding to the interval, key signature, and meter. In the second pattern, I see a specific color in my mind with each interval. The interval of a fifth is blue, the interval of a fourth is green, and so on. I chose keys with flats because they sound the most resonant on the harp thus producing richer colors in my mind.
The introduction, indigointro, establishes the 5-4-3-2-1 intervallic relationships and presents the first melody. The first movement bluefive is in 5/4 meter, has five flats in the key signature, and utilizes the interval of a fifth throughout. The second movement greenfour is in 4/4 meter, has four flats, and is based on the interval of a fourth. The next two movements yellowthree and orangetwo follow the same patterns of number and color. The last movement redone restates the prominent motives from all prior material. The finale is a flourish of colorful harmonies, sweeping arpeggios, and grand chords.