TitLE

ORBES

for orchestra or orchestral ensemble

Description

Orbes is a work conceived as a succession of a finite number of unbreakable elements called “orbs”. Each orb can be approached as a composite forming a sequence or part of the work, but also being “for itself”, autonomously, a “moment” or trajectory. The piece takes the form of a continuous unfolding in the interpolar space of the orbs, moving gradually from one to the next. The order of passage of the orbs is not fixed. Nor is it predetermined by the composer. The choice is left to the conductor, who determines the sequence of orbs for each performance. Each time the piece is played according to a particular sequence, this sequence is recorded and can never be used again. To date, the project for the piece envisages the construction of 7 different orbs, opening up 5040 possible combinations.

Orbes is inspired by Milton's Paradis Perdu. In this epic poem, Satan rises from Hell and primordial chaos to wreak his vengeance and corrupt nascent humanity. On his journey, he travels through an almost abstract universe, a diurnal space made up of orbs (planets) around which he gravitates. It's this contrast between a barely-drawn celestial vault, a universe in outline, and a transformative will (that of the avenging demon) that serves as the primum movens of the play.