Symphony no. 2, Movement I

Composed in celebration of Beethoven's 250th year, each of the four movements of Symphony no. 2 ("Refractions") is a response to Beethoven's music, refracted through the lens of time. I. Custom's Sword (Adagio / Allegro) "Deine Zauber binden wieder / Was der Mode Schwert geteilt" ("Thy magic powers re-unite / What custom's sword has divided") - Friedrich Schiller, "Ode to Joy" (original 1785 version) The opening movement takes musical ideas that comport with early 19th-century norms and filters them through rhythmic, harmonic, melodic, and textural procedures informed by changes in musical styles that have happened since. Some parts veer quite close to the music of Beethoven, nearly quoting his work in a few select passages, while other portions depart rather drastically.