Sequenza VI

Sequenza VI was written in 1967 for Serge Collot, to whom the score is dedicated. It also forms the core of two other Berio compositions, Chemins II for viola and nine instruments (1968), and Chemins III (1969), which adds an orchestra to the forces of Chemins II. Walter Trampler, for whom Chemins III was written, believed it had in fact been composed first and the Sequenza then extracted from it (Uscher 1982–83, 286–87). The relationship of the three works is described by Berio as being "something like the layers of an onion: distinct, separate, yet intimately contoured on each other; each new layer creates a new, though related surface, and each older layer assumes a new function as soon as it is covered" (Smalley 1971). Two further works were evolved from Chemins II: Chemins IIb for orchestra (1969) and Chemins IIc for bass clarinet and orchestra (1972) (Osmond-Smith 1975, 871).