Helix
for orchestra

Helix consists of a single motive that occurs in five different speeds. At the opening of the work it can be heard on its own - slowly - in the horn and strings, followed by denser sections where the music intensifies through diminution (the motive in faster appearances), spiralling in and out of the different speeds. An echoing technique derived from electronic delay as found in rock music emphasizes this spiralling. This echo can be heard throughout the seven-minute composition, but starts right at the beginning as a layer in bassoons, percussion, harp and piano. The work shifts through different diatonic modes where Corellian suspension chains in the strings, again, underscore the spiralling motion. These elements combined result in a weightless twirling that eventually gravitates towards a more grounded climax.

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REVIEWS

“The programme started with the world premiere of Dutch composer Edward Top’s Helix (yes, there was a Dutch theme throughout), a VSO commission doubtlessly stemming from Top’s previous position as a Composer-In-Residence with the orchestra. As evidenced in his recent Fugue States for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra, and Pots and Pans are Falling, the composer typically offers very tightly-knit structures which feature insistently-repeated notes passed around the ensemble to create ‘echo effects’. More appropriate for an opening night celebration, this time Top placed his germinal motive and its ‘echo’ within a film-score lyricism, to soften its rigour and to give the proceedings more flow. This was quite successful overall, and the orchestra gave the piece a nice glow.” Geoffrey Newman, Vanclassicalmusic and Seenandheard - September, 2018

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“From the podium Tausk explained how the program symbolized the past, present, and future of the orchestra, starting with a commissioned curtain raiser for the next 100 years, Edward Top’s five-minute Helix.

A former professional violinist, Top knows orchestras well and, as a past composer-in-residence, the VSO in particular. Helix checks all the right boxes, a short work filled with interesting timbres, textures, and rhythmic vitality — perhaps a just a bit cautious compared with more substantial Top works heard in the past but getting the mood of celebration and renewed purpose just about right.” David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun - September 22, 2018

“La courte pièce Hélix du compositeur canadien Edward Top qui a lancé la deuxième partie de la soirée était d’une tout autre facture, nettement plus moderne et hermétique. Elle a été interprétée en présence du compositeur qui l’a d’ailleurs présentée aux spectateurs avec un humour sympathique et en lisant un texte en français, geste d’une grande courtoisie qui a été fort apprécié du public.”

“The short piece Helix by Canadian composer Edward Top which launched the second part of the evening was of a completely different making, much more modern and tightly-knit. It was performed in the presence of the composer, who also presented it to the audience with sympathetic humour and by reading a text in French, a gesture of great courtesy which was highly appreciated by the audience.” François Houde, le Nouvelliste, 26 mars 2023

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Français

"En géométrie, une hélice est le résultat d’une ligne droite enroulée en spirale sur trois dimensions, par exemple à l’intérieur d’un cône. L’unique motif de la pièce Helix est présenté dans cinq vitesses différentes se superposant progressivement. La première itération de ce motif est entendue au cor, doublé par l’ensemble des cordes dans lequel sont réparties les neuf notes formant le motif. Le trajet du motif spiralant à travers ses versions à différentes vitesses crée des sections musicales de grande intensité alternant avec des sections plus calmes et moins touffues. Le compositeur reproduit également à l’aide des instruments acoustiques de l’orchestre une technique d’écho inspirée du délai électronique qu’on retrouve dans la musique rock. Il ressort de la combinaison de ces éléments une sensation de tournoiement léger gravitant progressivement vers un point culminant." François Houde, le Nouvelliste, 26 mars 2023