The musical compositions of Richard Burdick
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Opus 227

Sphinx Variations on Canada
for chamber orchestra (Op. 227)

or full orchestra (Op. 227a)

and
Sphinx Variations on Canada
for Carrilon (Op. 227b)

This is based on the musical cryptogram or sphinx on C A N A D A

For this sphinx, I am using C A F A D A. The f replaces the N as did Maurice Durufle did in his Prélude et Fuge sur le nom d'Alain (op. 7)

The theme is inspired by the opening of Mahler's fifth symphony. A moderately simple presentation of C A F A D A

Variation 1 is base on an old fragment of mine titled "Reel Music 09-25-58" which is suggests Morse code, and keep our minds in a place of musical symbolism.

The chamber orchestra and full orchestra versions are identical except the orchestration. They Carillon version is similar but ver different. It was written for the 150 anniversary of Canada to be performed on the The Peace Tower Carrilon on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Carillon verions has been registered with ASCAP