Three Diversions

Written for the Aurora Trio, the title Three Diversions refers to a somewhat playful approach (Diversions being the anglicized version of Divertimenti) as well as to the genesis of these three very much self-contained miniatures. At the time, these pieces served either as smaller studies or sketches for material I was busy with in regards to larger works, or simply provided a welcome diversion from bigger projects. The title also refers to the fact that much of the material (especially in the first movement – Rounds) was shaped whilst on various off-piste cycle routes.

This first movement Rounds is a moto-perpetuum movement built on interweaving ostinato, which at one point take to form of a lively medieval round or organum. The second movement is a somewhat austere but lyrical Elegy which related to my work on a piano trio (Epitaph) at the time. The final Tango is perhaps the most light-hearted of the three, the ‘main theme’ of which begins with a repeated A-G which refers to the initials of Alexandra Guiraud; a harpist friend to whom the movement is dedicated.