Brandon Nelson

Sketching some thoughts out for alto flute trio:

Beginning with the concept of the rotational array (à la Stravinsky), I applied chaining schemata of various basic approaches as an interesting launching point for both melodic and harmonic materials. The “prime” set is in the upper left corner and is the generator of all other sets in the schematic. The essential operations I applied (which define supersets I, II, and III) were rotation, diatonic transposition of rotation, and chromatic transposition of rotation. In this way, the original ordered diatonic heptatonic set gradually unfolds to allow for chromaticism to develop. In all for this project, I’ve allowed for 15 distinct chain-paths, each labeled with a Greek letter. Switch-chaining and truncation are permitted. Direct pitch repetition is discretionary.

Away we go!