related works
The stillpoint : for violin and vibraphone, opus 4, 1994/1995 / Edward Top
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Mixed ensemble (2-12 players)
Scoring:
vibr vl
Symphony no. 2 : 1982/83 / Jo van den Booren
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4331 timp 2perc hp str
Ontdekkingen : voor orkest, 1996/98 / Wilbert Bulsink
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
3333 4431 3perc pf str(14.12.10.8.6.)
Genre:
Orchestra
Subgenre:
Orchestra
Scoring:
2222 2220 timp str
composition
Helix (2022 revision) : for orchestra / Edward Top
Other authors:
Top, Edward
(Composer)
Description:
Helix consists of a single motive that occurs in five different speeds. At the opening of the work it can be heard on its own - slowly - in the horn and strings, followed by denser sections where the music intensifies through diminution (the motive in faster appearances), spiralling in and out of the different speeds. An echoing technique derived from electronic delay as found in rock music emphasizes this spiralling. This echo can be heard throughout the six-minute composition, but starts right at the beginning as a layer in bassoons, percussion, harp and piano. The work shifts through different diatonic modes where Corellian suspension chains in the strings, again, underscore the spiralling motion. These elements combined result in a weightless twirling that eventually gravitates towards a more grounded climax.