MOTORWAY MUSIC
1999

This work for oboe, violin, viola, and cello was commissioned by Gaetan le Divlec for the University of Leicester and premiered there in February 2000. It was later performed at the London College of Music by Gaetan and the resident Solaris Quartet. Inspired by the rhythmic patterns and shifting tones of engine sounds, Motorway Music explores the interplay of movement and texture in sound. The composition draws upon early impressions of how mechanical noises form intricate layers—changing with speed, direction, and gear shifts—creating a natural musicality within everyday environments. The piece reflects this evolving sonic landscape, shaping its material through fluid transitions and dynamic contrasts. It is where an early fascination with sound transformed into a deeper exploration of musical structure.