Episodes, op. 23b

Commissioned by the Oldenburg State Theatre, 'Episodes' for full orchestra was created in 1962 and premiered as a ballet entitled 'Pas de deux'. The formal structure of the composition is based on the five phases of the classical 'grand pas de deux', with the first two sections Entrée and Adage being united in one movement. The basic musical material is defined by a seven-note mode (all semitones in the range of the tritone C - F sharp) which varies in many ways in the rhythmically influenced movements. This music, in its ferocity and pithiness, ranks among the most expressive scores by Bertold Hummel, and its stage and concert performances are equally geared to captivate the audience.