The musical compositions of Richard Burdick
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Opus 130b

The Test of Time
for chamber orchestra (16:30)

2005

For Nexen Regina Symphony Chamber Players 3111 1111 1100

This is a work containing a great deal of information, and greatly disturbing emotionally. It was my goal to write something shocking for the Nexen Regina Symphony Chamber Players.

I am quite sure this work will transform the listener.

This work represents, what might be my own (time will tell) transition from  late romanticism stretched too far, though long and extensive scale studies (minimalism stretched too far) to a point of unification, the 40 triads, the three main points and finally the full chromatic scale.

The humor:
Henry Cowell (maybe it was Carl Ruggles) was at a party sitting in front of the piano repeating a awful chord over and over until someone asked what he was doing, to which he replied “I am seeing if this chord will stand the test of time”

The hidden genetics:

Part 1:
Is a study in traditional counterpoint using the one & five chords of each of my 64 I Ching scales.

Part 2:
Is the all seven or eight tones of each of the I Ching scales in overtone order in the rhythm suggested by the lines of the I Ching.

With the string quartet playing separately in the audience.

Part 3:
Is in three short parts:

Page 1 - the introduction

Page 14 - part of the "meat" of the piece. The style goes on for 64 measure with the string quartet playing in the "cracks" of the heavy chords on stage.

Program from the premiere:

April 13, 2006