Polytera I

This piece exists in a different dimension. Instead of using rhythms built from conventional duple or triple divisions, every rhythm is derived from a quintuple-based rhythmic system. Essentially, a given duration divides into five equal parts, each of which can only be divided into five smaller parts, and so on. Pitch material is based on a dual attractor system where two centricities trace independent arcing paths throughout the piece. The work’s title references the large body of five-dimensional shapes proposed by topologists that are collectively known as polytera. This piece is inspired by three shapes in particular: the hexateron (a 5D tetrahedron), penteract (a 5D cube), and triacontaditeron (5D octahredon).