Cantus

Description

Peter Nagle’s Cantus, for alto flute and optional drones.

From the composer:

’Cantus is a free melody based on a scale comprising intervals derived from the first, third, seventh, eleventh and thirteenth tones of the harmonic series. It may be performed as a solo or with accompanying drones.

’Cantus’ has a number of meanings in music terminology: the primary meaning I have in mind here is the simplest one, of a melody. There are a number of variants, but the one that comes closest to what I have in mind in this piece is Cantus simplex planus, which Grove defines as ‘a simple melody using notes of indefinite value, as in Gregorian chant.’ There is something chant- or prayer-like about this melody, though I can’t say to whom the prayer might be directed.’

Additional information