After Altamira... (После Альтамиры...)

Altamira is an ancient cave in Spain containing the examples of primitive paintings also known as the Sistine Chapel of the Stone Age. "After Altamira, it's all decadence!" That was Pablo Picasso's reaction to coming in contact with this otherworld. I also was attracted by the image of the ancient drawings. With its help, I tried to comprehend the gap between the cultures of different civilizations and epochs, as well as the drama of their origin and perishing. The image of the cave is personified by means of a twelve-chord with a very strict rhythmic organization. As it develops, the musical fabric gradually accumulates free compositional elements which more and more loosen the original structure. All these changes gradually accumulate new independent qualities. Allusions appear to a Gregorian chant, modality and movement towards the tonality. In the culmination, tertian chords emerge as the symbol of the triumph of classical romantic aesthetics, while the quiet chord of Altamira is only read in the score but cannot be heard.