Relative Autonomy is a musical metaphor for the conflict between individualism and the collective. The title refers to the theory of state power (based on Marxist ideas) that asserts that while a link exists between capitalism and the state, these structures also have a degree of independence. The opening of the piece is dominated by an extended duet for contrabassoon and contrabass clarinet. This is later combined with a layer of high instruments, in particular piccolo, piccolo trumpet, violin and crotales. Hayden says: "It is the dialectic between these two layers that drives the energy of the piece. All the instruments are constantly involved in the tension between their individual and collective roles."
History
Publication status
Published
Publisher
BMIC Contemporary Voices
Pages
76.0
Department affiliated with
Music Publications
Notes
London Sinfonietta Commission for 2004/5 season 1st performance: 27 Jan 2005 London Sinfonietta/Nicholas Kok (cond.) Jerwood Hall, LSO St. Luke's, London. Recorded by BBC Radio 3 for broadcast on the 'Hear and Now' programme. A CD copy of the BBC Radio 3 recording is provided (stereo audio). 2nd performance: 5 March 2005 MaerzMusik Festival 2005, London Sinfonietta/Martyn Brabbins (cond.) Der Kammermusiksaal der Philharmonie, Berlin. ISMN: M-2255-1334-8 (Score) 1st performance: 27 Jan 2005 London Sinfonietta/Nicholas Kok (cond.) Jerwood Hall, LSO St. Luke's, London. 2nd performance: 5 March 2005 MaerzMusik Festival 2005, London Sinfonietta/Martyn Brabbins (cond.) Der Kammermusiksaal der Philharmonie, Berlin.