Music Archive Entry

'Aspects of Leaving' is an orchestral piece by the Danish composer Per Norgard. I tool part in the premiere in Manchester in 1998. Norgard described to us his sense of departure as inherently implying arrival somewhere else - "good-bye, hello" as he put it. My piece asks a question about the nature of arrival, and indeed whether we ever truly do so.

The performer will need a series of weights to hold down the notes on the Great Organ while playing the Swell Organ. There should be time during the held chords to place and remove these weights to start or end notes. Small boxes containing lead weights can be used for this purpose.

The Great Organ and Pedals should be played quietly throughout, and the Swell Organ loudly throughout, with whatever combination of stops etc. the performer feels is most appropriate for achieving this contrast.