?clats is a set of piano miniatures. The music is derived from a 12-note series. After years of relative silence in composition, I view this as my true ?Opus 1?, warts and all.

Although ?clat can mean brightness or brilliance it can also mean a splinter of glass. It is this dual meaning I have in mind for the music. Either the note row is shattered into melodic fragments or the matrix itself is broken.

?clat i is a rhythmic palindrome. The notes are taken following the outside of the matrix centred on E.

?clat ii is an exploration of bell sounds. As I was writing it the death was announced of Michael Oliver. He was an intelligent critic and broadcaster and I dedicate this piece to his memory. It only uses the first 5 notes of the note row in a 5 square matrix centred on B flat.

?clat iii uses a seven square matrix again based on B flat. Its form is a simple palindrome. The music in the right hand explodes, contrasting against the introspective music of the left hand.

?clat iv opens with a rising arpeggio. Motifs come and go. The entire piece is played pianissimo.

?clat iv is a scherzo, all over in six seconds.

?clat vi rotates the row centred on E flat. The music is a three part ritual. This is a decorated equivalent to the static bell sounds of ?clat ii.