Raymond, Timothy: Cascade

Any definition of the word cascade, if it has some enhancing meaning and is of interest to the performer of – or listener to – this music, is valid. The one definition which, for the composer, is closest to his musical efforts, is that of something occurring in a succession of events (in this case, musical) – or stages – so that each stage derives from – or acts upon – the product of the preceeding. A ‘turbulent flow’ is characteristic of the piece as a whole, as is the idea of infolding or interfolding successive musical sections in such a way that, as they unravel or unfold (as they must as they enter performance time), they combine and become part of one another. As one event dominates, another is always implied or is dimly present. Cascade was commissioned by Canadian pianist, Margaret Bruce.