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Programme Note

GEMINI RISING (1990)for harpsichord solo.
Motto: “First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is...” (Donovan)
The title “Gemini rising” (literally “Ascending Twins”) was borrowed from astrological terminology but refers, purely musically, to two essential circumstances in the work: A constant duplicity in the melodic basis, as well as an almost constantly ascending tendency. Even when - as is the case in the start - ´falling´ figures appear, the combination of several such figures produces a ´ascending´ impression.
“Gemini rising” was composed for Elisabeth Chojnacka and premiered in Copenhagen in November 1990.
The subtitle quotes a Zen Buddhist line made famous by the modern troubadour Donovan, whose song is also quoted in the composition – and elaborated in a special, chromatic way that ´makes the mountain disappear´…
”Gemini Rising” was composed for Elisabeth Chojnacka and premiered in Copenhagen November 1990.
Per Nørgård