title

ludus cyclus

year of composition

2024

duration

8′

instrumentation

flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, and piano

performance

• november 7, 2024 | new haven, united states

rafael mendez · flute

nicole martin · clarinet

ria honda · violin

nicolas garrigues · viola

robin park · cello

forrest eimold · piano

maya miro johnson · conductor

program note

ludus cyclus begins with the process of composition itself. Rather than drawing from any particular theme or narrative, the piece started from a simple exploration of compositional techniques.

The idea of isorhythm forms the basic framework. I created a descending chromatic pattern for each instrument, leading down to its lowest note, and gave each one a different number of notes. On top of that, I added another layer: a sequence of playing techniques, arranged to match one less than the number of notes. Some techniques were shaped by register or sound quality. These overlapping patterns became the backbone of the piece.

Up to that point, the work followed a structural, logical approach. From there, I began shaping the rhythms more intuitively, sometimes bending or breaking the rules I had set. It reflects a balance between structure and intuition.

ludus cyclus weaves together a small number of patterns in different ways, creating new cycles through their combinations. These cycles, each moving at its own pace, tangle and overlap like a network of many Ouroboros, constantly appearing and disappearing in an organic flow.