Reoctoverture (Octoccata part 5)

[Christopher Stewart]

("behind the eight ball" by eschipul)

The next segment of « Octoccata » is entitled « Reoctoverture. » Basically, this section is a reprise of the introduction, hence the name, as it restates the theme presented therein, albeit through new and generally heavier variations.

The beginning of this fifth movement is intended as a tribute to Gentle Giant as it mirrors the way in which various fragmentary parts progressively recreate the main theme after the middle section of « Proclamation » (from « The Power and the Glory »).

As you have probably guessed by now, our adamant seller is still praising the merits of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c, that most wonderous of drinks, as the troubles it addresses he continues to enumerate...

When you injure your one good knee
Your gait it does recalibrate
When you're seduced by apathy
Your spark it does reanimate
When you can't find your memory
Your mind it does resuscitate
When no one knows the therapy
Drink down the whole bottle and wait

« Octoccata » is an instrumental suite clocking in at a little over 16 minutes. The title comes from the combination of octatonic and toccata, and is inspired by Emerson, Lake & Palmer‘s adaptation of the fourth movement of Alberto Ginastera‘s first piano concerto, which they published on their « Brain Salad Surgery » album under the title « Toccata. »

The original intent behind this composition featuring intensive use of octatonic scales was simply to « make some noise. » While the music wasn't built around it, a narrative finally came into existence when I considered how to best present the piece. From the word « octatonic » stood out the word « tonic, » and that became the seed from which stemmed the idea of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c, the miracle remedy to all ailments, infused with a touch of octatonine, and carefully brewed by a certain doctor Paul E. Graf, no doubt a good person enjoying an enviable reputation among his scientist peers, or maybe not...