PRISMA

The title
The spectrum of colours generated by light reflected or refracted in a prism suggests the notion of "breakdown" as a natural process. On the other hand, colours also combine and overlap to create new colours, less pure, but born of the same matrix. These concepts (which have always linked music with colours) form the basis of this piece, which develops by alternating chord blocks (beams of light in which harmony prevails) with the use of counterpoint techniques, where individual voices overlap and alternate, creating new "lights". The persistent opening rhythm (first colour) sustains the main theme laid out by the clarinets (second colour). These two elements then form the basis for the overall theme, which culminates in the central chorus "Cantabile, quasi religioso", a lyrical blend of chords and themes. This central episode can be viewed as the generator ("Prism") of the entire piece.