Present Chaos for Mixed Sextet (2008)
PROGRAM NOTE:
Full of drama and gesture, Present Chaos can be heard as a struggle between opposing characters ably created by the instruments of the
sextet. The chaos alluded to in the title manifests itself in a number of ways: pairs of instruments clashing with divergent contrapuntal figures, manipulations of dissonant 016 sets, registral and timbral extremes, and aleatoric procedures are all used to depict the composer’s vision of disorder. But beneath the turbulent surface there exists a unity and an achingly beautiful sense of longing, especially in the slow middle section. This desire remains unfulfilled, however, as the intensity builds to a furious climax and then ebbs away into nothingness.
INSTRUMENTATION:
Bb Clarinet/Bass Clarinet
Trumpet in C
Violin
Violoncello
Piano
Percussion:
Big Tam-tam
Bass Drum
Guiro
Suspended Cymbal
Glockenspiel
DURATION: ca. 7'
PERFORMANCE:
Full of drama and gesture, Present Chaos can be heard as a struggle between opposing characters ably created by the instruments of the
sextet. The chaos alluded to in the title manifests itself in a number of ways: pairs of instruments clashing with divergent contrapuntal figures, manipulations of dissonant 016 sets, registral and timbral extremes, and aleatoric procedures are all used to depict the composer’s vision of disorder. But beneath the turbulent surface there exists a unity and an achingly beautiful sense of longing, especially in the slow middle section. This desire remains unfulfilled, however, as the intensity builds to a furious climax and then ebbs away into nothingness.
INSTRUMENTATION:
Bb Clarinet/Bass Clarinet
Trumpet in C
Violin
Violoncello
Piano
Percussion:
Big Tam-tam
Bass Drum
Guiro
Suspended Cymbal
Glockenspiel
DURATION: ca. 7'
PERFORMANCE:
- Premiered on July 3rd, 2009 at the Oregon Bach Festival Composers’ Symposium at University of Oregon
