Evolution: a theme with variations
for chamber orchestra
Evolution: A Theme With Variations (1985) was commissioned with assistance from the Saskatchewan Arts Board by the Regina Symphony Orchestra. This was Canada’s first classical video with originally written music, recorded by the CBC and premiered at a gala event at the new CBC building in 1986.
The theme is carried through 7 variations spanning the periods from Renaissance to Contemporary and utilizing the compositional devices of the periods. For instance, the Baroque variation is a fugue; the Classical a mini sonata allegro with violin cadenza; the French Impressionistic uses the whole tone scale, and the Contemporary employs minimalist techniques with a tone row. The final variation metamorphoses from contemporary, back through the ages to a Renaissance Bacchanal.