Both are gestural, aggressive, and full of dynamic contrast. In contrast the second movement begins with long unmeasured notes. The score also tells the performers to let each interval settle in, listen to it, then move on. Just as the performers do, the audience can savor each harmony as if they were gazing at and hearing stars in a seemingly unchanging sky. When I was writing the piece in 1996, the comet Hyakutake was in the sky, and at the time of the premiere Hale-Bopp was visible.
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This file is for viewing only and is not enabled for printing. 4.2Mb free Listen to an MP3 audio clip of Pascal's Theorems . Excerpts from all three movements, performed by the Axiom Duo. Two print-enabled files are delivered via email. The printed music is delivered via US mail.