LOCUS SOLUS
for oboe (2003-05)
Locus Solus is written in three short, contrasted movements; the title is borrowed from the famous novel by French author Raymond Roussel. In this work, the oboe plays the role of a solitary individual, rapidly shifting between many different emotional states in a capricious, even schizophrenic manner. The first movement begins softly and lyrically, only to become progressively more agitated. The second movement is quick and virtuosic, alternating short figures that are sharply juxtaposed; and the third is more meditative étude on tone colour, punctuated from time to time by sudden quick outbursts.