2014


hum’s almanac

partners: [“Ensemble Zeitfluss”] instruments: [“Flute”, “Bass Clarinet in b”, “Saxophone”, “Bassoon”, “Percussion”, “Piano”, “Violin”, “Viola”, “Cello”, “Contrabass”]

The rhythmical structure for this composition was created using weather data collected by the Met Éireann weather station that is positioned at Belmullet, County Mayo in Ireland. At the time, I was very interested in observing naturally occuring processes and letting them structure the composition. Similar to the types of aleatoric processes used by composers like John Cage in the 20th century. At the end of the day, the process is not really essential to what one hears in the piece - that usually ends up being sound in any event - getting some of the structural work out of the way with this sort of a procedure sort of clears the way for making decisions related to the orchestration.

Rainfall at Belmullet

For the hills

partners: [“Schallfeld Ensemble”, “Anna Sabelfeld”, “Elisa Azarra”, “Margarethe Maierhofer-Lischka”] categories: [“Chamber Music”, “Duo”, “Trio”]

Both of these pieces were written for ensemble Schallfeld, who played them during a concert at St. Andrä Kirche in Graz. The priest who gave us a loan of the hall - Hermann Glettler - since went on to become the bishop of Innsbruck. He did some pretty interesting work in St. Andrä while he was in Graz, it’s an interesting church if you ever get to have a look, I can remember seeing a life sized crucifix covered in tiny mirrors. The congregation - who are mostly immigrants from Africa - ensure that it remains pretty much the most lively church in Europe.

It focuses three disparate lines that weave together in a loosely organized rhythmical space.

The title is a reference to the “Dark Night of the Soul”, a mystical experience recorded by St. John of the Cross. Apparently, the basic idea of the experience is that God, as well as the soul’s path to God are essentially unknowable.

My title is more focused on worldly things, like a grey morning and a throbbing pain in your toe. Whether or not these or similar experiences have anything to do with the former, I don’t know.

The great eastern (leviathan)

partners: [“Ensemble Zeitfluss”] instruments: [“Flute”, “Bass Clarinet in b”, “Saxophone”, “Bassoon”, “Percussion”, “Piano”, “Violin”, “Viola”, “Cello”, “Contrabass”]

Yurt

partners: [“Schallfeld Ensemble”, “Anna Sabelfeld”, “Doris Segula”] instruments: [“Violin”]