A totally conscious expansion of consciousness
- is the term Noergaard uses to describe the process through which he takes his listeners. It begins here with deep harmonies called forth to form the first of the work's two movements - "Outer Movement" ("Ydre bevaegelse"). The tonal material slowly gathers shape, and it becomes apparent that the sound space of the symphony is identical to nature's own harmonies - the series of overtones. After this point, the tones fall in cascades with the deep wind instruments proclaiming the entire overtone spectrum. It is here that the grammar of the work's entire rhythmic dimension is revealed. The second movement, dubbed "Inner Interplay" ("Indre Samspil"), starts off from the opposite direction - from above. Like the northern lights, the tones here are cast down from the highest point to create melodies, which the large choir then takes over. Via two old medieval chants, the movement reaches the choral finale "Sing of the gardens".
Soli Deo Gloria
"All honour to God alone" Noergaard writes at the end of the symphony. This third symphony of his is a sort of breathing space in which the composer takes stock of things. His search for cosmic harmony has induced in him a way of composing in which everything in the music derives from the so- called "infinity series" - a musical technique which corresponds to the composer's experience of an all-embracing cosmic truth.
Finn Gravesen is an author and editor, his latest work being "Who owns the music?" ("Hvem ejer musikken?") (2006) commissioned by the Ministry of Culture.