SINFONIA for viola, cello and strings (1993)

The Sinfonia is a fifteen minute work with no extramusical connotations. Though in one movement, it falls into a five sectioned form which might be described as palindromic (ABCBA).

The A section, which forms prologue and epilogue is very slow and creates a musical landscape not unlike Act III of Tristan through the use of chords where major and minor thirds, or major thirds and perfect fourths are sounded simultaneously and the violins and violas make much of their lower strings.

The fast B section is reached through a tempo modulation (which makes use of a rhythmic figure derived from David Bowie's 'Suffragete City'). This section is characterised by a concentration on G as a tonal focus, the use of rapidly changing metrical patterns and sudden contrasts of texture. It is here that the solo instruments first come into prominence.

The slow C section takes up some of the ideas from the A section, but concentrates more on expansive melodic lines. There is some use of aleatoric counterpoint which provides a textural backdrop for ornate melodies from the soloists.

The repeated A and B sections are not literal but developed versions of the original statements.

The Sinfonia was commissioned by the Adelaide Chamber Orchestra with financial assistance from the Performing Arts Board of the Australia Council, and is dedicated to Richard Mills.