Richard Meale: Coruscations (1971)

Abstract

"Richard Meale has defined 'coruscation' as 'a series of rapid flashes of light, such as that coming from the Aurora Borealis'. Coruscations, for solo piano, has been described as 'a universe of brilliant sonorities, scattered and expansive like stars'. The paradox of the work is the impression of infinite variety and seemingly random invention set against a rigorous underlying organisation. The pitches of the work are strictly organised, with ten interrelated sonorities being subjected to transposition and permutation. Other aspects of the performance, however, are left to the individual. Thus, while pitches and theirtonal interrelationship remain fixed, the timing and spacing of. events will be unique to each performance. Like the night sky it describes, the logic behind the work is impossible to grasp at first or even second hearing, yet one suspects that a strong designing force is nevertheless at work." -- Deborah Crisp