Works » By Title » S » Strange Attractions (7:30 / 1986)

The music of “Strange Attractions” was generated entirely within the chaotic region. The piece represents an analysis and synthesis of different musical styles to which, at one time or another, I have been “strangely attracted”. At the same time, it is a study of the turbulence created by a dripping tap. The water drops heard at the beginning of the piece initiate a sort of musical turbulence which belies the ‘easy listening’ style of the introduction. Musical elements swirl and eddy in a free fantasy of musical fashions - the introduction leads through various sorts of orchestral and pop music, and from the “heavy metal” style we get the true metallic music of the middle of the piece. The dripping returns, releasing this time a torrent of musical mannerisms, from a mad organist to a manic jazz band. The disparate stylistic elements unite briefly in the coda, and with a final flourish the piece ends, drained. BD