Blanc dominant (1998)

string quartet

Blanc dominant for string quartet was inspired by Guido Molinari’s visual world. It comprises 8 movements and is structured as a theme and variations.

The theme unfolds in two parts:

• Part I: vertical dimension (harmonic theme).
• Part II: horizontal dimension (melodic theme).

Each of the seven variations brings out a musical correspondence to paintings by Molinari:

• Mutation I
• Tension
• Space / asymetrical
• Diagonal black
• Mutation II / triangle
• White dominant
• Coda / continuum

Moninari’s paintings have triggered an autonomous musical response. The point here is not to try to turn the visual into the audible. Blanc dominant is rather the outcome of contemplation, the encounter of artistic sensibilities and the record of an enchantment. How Molinari’s visual works resonate in my imagination, an aural tribute.

Blanc dominant was composed in 1998 for the Molinari String Quartet, with the support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.

• Recording: available at SMCQ’s office

Performances

• On Tour (5/5) → Mar 7, 2012
• On Tour (4/5) → Feb 10 & Feb 11, 2012
• Quatre par quatre → Jan 26, 2012
• On Tour (3/5) → Nov 26 to Dec 4, 2011
• The Shape and Colour of Music → Sep 23, 2011
• On Tour (2/5) → Jul 18, 2011
• On Tour (1/5) → Jul 15 to Jul 17, 2011
• Salon des compositeurs II → Apr 26, 2008
• Concert 2 → Feb 28, 2006