Miniatures for Gaudí

Miniatures per Gaudí was written in October and November 2002 at the express request of Dutch composer Christiaan de Jong for the 6th International Cycle of Musical Influences in Barcelona. Unfortunately the work could not be performed at this event, but the following year it was premiered in the Argentinian city of Rosario.
This piece is written in seven short movements that are performed without a break and therefore form a continuous multi-sectional structure. The seven pieces, entitled Prelude, Toccata I, Cantilena, Scherzo, Interlude, Toccata II and Melody, are based on the set of musical notes derived from the letters that form the surname of the modernist architect GAUDÍ: G; A; C from the U, derivation of the medieval term ut; D; and by association of the Spanish vowel sound “i” that appears in mi (E) and si (B).
Having established this set of sounds (G, A, C, D, E) that became the melodic and harmonic basis of all the Miniatures a second set was also established from the Toccata onwards: F#, G#, A#, C#, D#. Both groups of sounds are pentatonic scales at a tritone distance, showing an interesting symmetry on the piano keyboard.
The most obvious connection with Gaudí lies in the use of these series of notes. Other more subjective reflections on the personality of the prestigious architect can be found in the different characteristics proposed in each of the Miniatures, such as Reflection, Energy, Religiousness, Catalanitat (Catalan qualities), Spirit and Transcendence.