Peter Meechan

The Karman Line

This work takes inspiration from photos taken at the Karman Line (an invisible line 100 kilometres above sea level and is the boundary where the atmosphere of Earth ends, and outer space begins). It portrays the vastness of Space, the mechanics of Space (including shuttles and astronauts), as well as stunning views of the Earth. The main thematic material for the piece is modal, and is developed from key pitches and intervals that define the character and nature of the mixolydian mode. These are gradually introducted as accented notes over the opening ostinato. This modal music is gradually juxtaposed with a more conventional minor scale originally creating conflict and tension, but eventually harmony between these two sound-worlds.