Programme Note WHIRLS´ WORLD (1970) for wind quintet. 'Whirl´s World' was composed in 1970 as one of a series of works which explored the so-called musical ´difference-phenomenon´. This term (which I coined in connection with a series of lectures in California that year) indicates a motivic duplicity in which two - often very simple - melodic ideas come ´out of phrase´ with each other giving rise to a course of constantly changing conditions. In Whirl´s World the difference phenomenon is heard from the beginning where a three-note motif and a four-note motif are set against each other. It all proceeds lake a lightning-fast series of chess moves; first notenumber 1 of the three-note motif is moved then note number 1 of the four-note motif thereafter note number 2 of the three-note motif - and so on. This fast opening flows into a slow section in which the differences now appear as ´fluctuations´ between very closely related tones (of which one is sung by the musician). There is only one movement built up as an organic growth from slow to furiously fast whirling and back again to slow which can be heard as ´slow-motion whirls´ as a water-world of ripples and bubbles. All this is framed by the introduction described above and a corresponding conclusion in which the movement is now descending ending in the resolute bass full-stop. Per Norgård

Pour Quintette de Vents-French composer and conductor Henri Tomasi (1901-1971) published Five Secular and Sacred Dances for Wind Quintet in 1963. As with his other wind compositions Five Secular and Sacred Dances was well-received by audiences. Tomasi was born in Marseille but his Father and Mother were originally from La Casinca in Corsica. Despite being pressured into musical studies by his parents Tomasi dreamed of becoming a sailor and during the summer he stayed with his Grandmother in Corsica where he learnt traditional Corsican songs. However in 1921 he began his studies at the Paris Conservatoire and wenton to become a high profile composer and conductor. Tomasi did not forget his Corsican routes often incorporating themes of the songs he had learnt during the summers with his Grandmother in to his compositions. Five Secular and Sacred Dances is a reduction arrangement of his work of the same name for Chamber Orchestra. Comprising five movements; 1) Rural Dance 2) Secular Dance 3) Sacred Dances 4) Bridal Dance and 5) Warrior Dances Five Secular and Sacred Dances is one of three Wind Quintets by the composer. This Tomasi piece is suitable to an advanced Wind Quintet providing an exciting alternative addition to the ensemble repertoire.

Esa-Pekka Salonen's Memoria For Wind Quintet. This work was written as a gift for the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra on their 20th anniversary. It was first performed on 30th November 2003 at the HelsinkiConservatoire Finland by members of the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. Duration c. 12 minutes Parts available: SOS15785.