Save Yourself forms part of a series of works that attempt to find sonic analogues for ideas and techniques in the visual arts. The general ‘theme’ of the work is the establishment of a series of mono-hued “colour fields” that are overwritten with surface figurations and gestures. The accordion and melodicas provide the basis of a cyclical progression of harmonic fields—subtly coloured by gliding sine tones from the synth—whilst winds and strings create aggressive gestural layers.
The contrapuntal writing gradually decays into more synchronized figures towards the end of the piece, whilst at the same time “blurring” into a development of noise-based timbres from the very opening.
The first performance of Save Yourself was given by Ensemble Offspring, Sydney, March 2012. Funding was provided by Creative New Zealand, administered through the Trans-Tasman Residency hosted by the Centre for New Zealand Music (SOUNZ) and the Australian Music Centre.