Phlogiston for flute, clarinet and string quartet, was inspired by the video/fire artwork Phlogiston (2009) by Keith Chidzey. The title of the work refers to a 17th century scientific theory that was eventually disproven, which hypothesised that combustion was caused by an element called phlogiston. Despite being incorrect, there is something hopeful and poetic about the concept that reminds me of theories of aether. I have tried to capture a lightness, optimism, and sense of space in the music.
Chidzey’s video artwork depicts a Ruben’s Tube aflame, in mirror image. This gives the appearance of a horizontal band above and below which small flames flicker. I used this visual motif as my departure point in the music of Phlogiston, establishing a unison pitch as a central band that all the instruments gradually enter on. They start to “flicker” to various notes above and below this point, and their gestures grow slowly from flickers into flourishes. Later, the flute and clarinet play a slowly descending line inspired by the colour and clarity of flame. Meanwhile pizzicato strings gradually thin out back down to flickers on the opening pitch.
Composer Bio: Peggy Polias (b.1981)
Website:
peggypolias.com
Peggy Polias is a composer and music typesetter based in Sydney. Polias prepares scores, instrumental parts and other print music materials for some of Australia’s leading composers. In 2010 she graduated with a Master of Music (Composition), supervised by Professor Anne Boyd at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
In 2011, Polias participated in the Halcyon First Stones project and the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra Composer Workshops. After having a baby in early 2013, Polias has resumed composing in 2014. She continues to explore the influences of Javanese Gamelan, minimalism, feminism, fractals and handicrafts in her music.
from
Kammerklang: Beta,
released August 12, 2015
Composer: Peggy Polias
Flute: Kaylie Dunstan
Clarinet: Peter Smith
Violins: Victoria Jacono, Victor Wu
Viola: John Fahy
Cello: George Cayas
Sound Engineer: Jayson McBride
Performed and recorded live at Kammerklang Ablaze (2014).