Musica Nova was inspired by my first listening experience of polyphonic music by composers of the Notre Dame school such as Léonin and Pérotin (c.1200AD). I initially found it difficult to comprehend the inner workings of this music, but I was mystified by the soundworld it created. This eventually led to an acute interest in the origins of polyphonic music and its evolution through history. The piece was written for, and is dedicated to, the EXAUDI vocal ensemble.

This piece is comprised of two contrasting types of material; monodic lines using fragmented material from various works by composers of the Notre Dame school, and dense polyphonic textures. These materials are driven by different processes and continuously interrupt each other at irregular intervals, causing changes to aspects of each of the materials. The text is the Latin word ‘exaudi’ which means to ‘listen’ or ‘hear’ as an instruction or request.