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ARCANUM
for voice and chamber ensemble (1996)

Arcanum was written as a memorial piece. The texts attempt to examine the nature of Knowledge and Time, that substance of which we are made. The work is divided in two parts, each containing seven vocal movements, plus two solely instrumental ones featuring different soloists. In Part One, these interludes are called SEQUENCES (in the original sense of textless embellishments.) In Part Two, they are called TRACTS (alluding to their soloistic and, in particular, penitential nature.) Three liturgical elements permeate the piece: an Ambrosian hymn (Æterne Rerum Conditor,) a Gregorian chant (Libera Me) and a Benedicamus Domine from the School of Compostela in Spain.

A commentary on compositional techniques in ARCANUM