The entire piece unfolds either around or between these two gestures. I chose to re-tune the instrument in order to personalise the harmonic writing: the fifths arereplaced by structures favouring major sixths and minor thirds.
Challenged by this scodatura, the sonority of Spins and Spells reminds me of the music and the instrumental colours of another age, far older than those ofthe cello that we know, although seen and transformed again through my own universe.' - Kaija Saariaho