A Prelude and Fugue

A note from composer James Devor: “Recently, many individuals have been struggling with the emotional repercussions created by prolonged isolation. Physical separation correlates to psychological duress, resulting in a less than ideal state of mental health. The prelude of Distanced Thoughts echoes this separation, with the outer two voices playing mostly the same line two octaves apart from each other. After the texture finally thickens, a solo oboe cries out with an atonal melody, the first fugal statement. As this thematic material develops, unstable harmonies permeate the music until a series of low pedal tones arrive at the climax. Eventually the opening prelude theme returns, whispers into nothingness, and abandons the oboe’s final pitch.”

This video was created by Akropolis as part of a residency at West Chester University featuring the premiere of 7 new works by West Chester University students.