| work:
click title for pdf of the score |
On the Carpet of Leaves Illuminated By the Moon |
| ensemble: | solo cello, flute, bass clarinet, trombone, percussion, mezzo soprano, guitar, violin |
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duration:
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c. 7.5 minutes |
| date composed: | December 2002 |
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program notes:
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This piece was conceptualized with
one compositional limitation- the solo cello could only play the note D.
It is allowed to switch octaves, use harmonics and play quarter tones,
but it must remain on the pitch D. I then added further limitations
when I created a four note pitch set that the chamber group must also adhere
to. My main goal in this was to change the context of the Ds of the
cello by orchestrating it in different fashions against the harmonic wash
of the other instruments. Also, it places much more emphasis on the
dynamics and timbral elements of the cello to make the solo a more engaging
experience to the listener.
The piece adheres to a four-section form, with each part of approximately equal length. The first section is the introduction of pitch set number one. The second section begins with a quasi-modulation to a second pitch set which is completely opposite from the first. The third section is a series of trios that spark a succession of soloistic flourishes. The final section heralds a return of the primary pitch set that ultimately ends on a tutti unison of various Ds. |
| performance history:
click on date for real audio file |
Rob Parrish, percussion Jessica Stephen, flute Katie Cole, mezzo soprano Nicholas Schoeb, bass clarinet Doug Phillips, guitar Bernard MicKey, trombone Cassandra Hitchcock, violin Michael Furniere, conductor |