Programme note:

When given the opportunity to work with such cutting-edge technology in a new composition, a strong temptation is to explore the possibilities for timbral manipulation. However, in approaching this project I decided to focus solely on the unaltered sound of the cello and create a piece where the soloist accompanies himself – and is in control of the density of this accompaniment through the hyperbow.

Loops are a common feature of computer programming and also form the basis for the many musical structures, one of which is the passacaglia. The pluralisation of the title suggests the many different ways the passacaglia idea is encountered in this piece – as a ground bass, chord sequence, or set of scales – while the musical surface hints at the form’s origins in Spanish guitar music and touches later developments in Bach, Britten and Berio.

I gratefully acknowledge the assistance received from my brother in developing this piece, particularly as regards the computer programming aspects.