Score and parts here.

Programme note:

From the Oxford English Dictionary: “Of things: To move briskly or lightly, especially with alternating or irregular motion, as lightning, flame, leaves in the wind, etc.; to change or alternate rapidly, as colours in iridescence or prismatic refraction; to pass gently around, or strike lightly upon, something, as waves, wind, light, etc.; to dance, flutter, flicker, glitter, ripple, vibrate, sway lightly, etc.”

This. Also ‘play’ as in a game: such play is fun, but has an underlying seriousness and is essential for living. Also as in playing an instrument (obviously). Also, when I compose, it is a sort of playing with notes, in this case a somewhat obsessive way of discovering as many harmonic and melodic units as possible from a set of four notes hammered out in the opening and closing chords.

The piece works by creating circles which are interrupted, so generating the need for some sort of return or completion. The game ends when the orchestra makes it all the way around the board. Dancing.