Tom Lane [b. 1984]
Refractions [2022]

Commissioned by the Banbha Quartet with funds from The Arts Council of Ireland

Performed by the Banbha Quartet
National Concert Hall, Dublin, 25th September 2022 (live audio recording)

Score available for free download here
Parts available for free download here

The title “Refractions” refers in part to the kaleidoscopic harmony of the piece's musical material – rotating clashing major thirds whose close proximity create colourful contrast. This material is then continuously refracted using various techniques to create alternating sections which explore the potential of this rich musical content. Structurally, the piece continuously returns to the musical material of the opening in a quasi-rondo form. The intervening passages develop different characteristics of the opening material until an extended melodic passage is reached about two thirds of the way through the piece. A densely chromatic rising section builds tension before returning to a reimagined version of the music from the beginning of the piece.

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Tom Lane is a Dublin-based composer. He studied composition at Balliol College Oxford, the Royal Academy of Music, and the Berlin University of the Arts. He recently received his PhD in composition from University College Cork. He works frequently to create new music for dance, theatre and opera productions as well as new scores for instrumental and vocal ensembles. In 2023 his new piece Nocturne was performed by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland conducted by Gavin Maloney. Tom has previously been commissioned to write new scores for the Picorlino Ensemble, the Banbha Quartet, Cantairí Óga Átha Cliath, Cork Opera House, John Scott Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Northern Ireland Opera, Cantairí Avondale, The Abbey Theatre, Branar Theatre, Kirkos Ensemble, Pipeworks Organ Festival, The Globe Theatre, The Almeida Theatre, and The Ark Theatre.