Davies is praised for his use of gesture and for his uninhibited re-use of music of the past, especially that of the medieval period. The existing music that he incorporates becomes increasingly obvious to the ear as his style matures. In his early works, he obscures the borrowed material by fragmentation, serial procedures, and complex canonic techniques. The borrowed material begins to be readily audible with Antechrist. In this work, the 13th-century motet, Deo confitemini, is reorchestrated and stated boldly at the outset. The juxtaposition of it with completely original music of Davies within a single work provides the key to the composer's originality.

Works: Davies: Alma Redemptoris Mater (3), Shakespeare Music (3), St. Michael (3), Ecce Manus Tradentis (3), Taverner Fantasias (3), Antechrist (3), L'Homme Armé (3-4).

Index Classifications: 1900s

Contributed by: Amy Weller