Sequenza I (author's note)

Sequenza I
for flute (1958)

The title refers to the fact that the piece is built from a sequence of harmonic fields from which the other, strongly characterized musical functions are derived. In Sequenza I an essentially harmonic discourse is set out and developed melodically, suggesting a polyphonic mode of listening. In 1958 I wasn’t using the term “polyphonic” in any metaphorical sense, as I would do now when working with monodic instruments, but literally. I wanted to establish a way of listening so strongly conditioned as to constantly suggest a latent, implicit polyphony.
Sequenza I was written in 1958 for Severino Gazzelloni.

Luciano Berio

Note d'autore: informazioni generali | Author's note: general info