The introduction to the commentary on the submitted works attempts to locate the music within a broad cultural context. Modernism is seen as a significant point of reference and is defended for its idealism. In pursuance of this defence, issues concerning the relationship of art to religious belief are investigated. A modem definition of art is proposed in terms of the difficulty of creating closure. Closure is seen as particularly significant in relationship to our perceptions of the the

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... nt chaos which pervades life in a broadly secular climate. Chaos is presented as problematic and related to the sense of horror engendered by a contemplation of infinity. At the same time it is suggested that chaos only exists as a category for perception and is something of a mask, covering up the complex visions of reality presented by the sciences. In light of the difficulty of creating closure in a manner which does not create a false relationship with chaos (and/or complexity) the concept of 'constellations' is investigated. This is undertaken with a view to uncovering its developing significance in composition and in particular its influence on methods used in the submitted works.