Germinal Observation: a chamber sinfonietta
chamber orchestra, solo strings, & live electronics
composed 2022
ca. 5 min.
Full Instrumentation:
- piccolo
- flute
- oboe
- english horn
- clarinet in B♭
- bass clarinet in B♭
- bassoon
- alto saxophone
- tenor saxophone
- 2 horns in F
- 2 trumpets in B♭
- trombone
- euphonium
- tuba
- percussion 1: xylophone, crotales, chimes
- percussion 2: opera gongs (3), piccolo snare drum, bass drum (24″), triangles (3), hi-hat
- harp
- piano
- live electronics (Max/MSP patch)
- violin 1 (solo)
- violin 2 (solo)
- viola (solo)
- violoncello (solo)
- contrabass (solo)
Program Note:
Germinal Observation unpacks thematic material throughout its journey. Opening with an aggressive statement, the remainder of the music discovers new ways to recontextualize itself until culminating in a barrage of sound. The ensemble is supplemented with electronic modulation originating from the five solo string players. As the modulation changes, it does more than enable the strings to ‘fight’ with the winds and percussion. As the piece expands, it timbrally distorts the musical germ into a new world, combining the sounds of a traditional ensemble with its related modulation.