Buzzing and Barely Contained

Instrumentation: Flute, Eb Clarinet/Bass Clarinet in Bb,*** Percussion, Piano, Soprano, Violin, Viola, and Cello

*** There are three alternative versions of this piece, depending on the availability of the Eb and Bass Clarinets. If an Eb Clarinet is unavailable, one alternative version is for Bb and Bass Clarinets. If a Bass Clarinet is unavailable, the second version is for Bb and Eb Clarinets. If neither a Bass Clarinet nor an Eb Clarinet is available, the third alternative is for only Bb Clarinet.

World Premiere: Liza Sobel (Soprano), Andrew Sak (Flute), Terrance Griswold (Clarinets), Jesse Jones (Piano), Chris Demetriou (Percussion), Sarah Hoag (Violin), Stephen Gorgone (Viola), Katharine McShane (Cello), Patrick Valentino (Conductor); February 2012; Barnes Hall, Cornell University

Duration: 6 minutes

Program Notes:

I wrote Buzzing and Barely Contained for a concert of new compositions inspired by art with the art featured at the concert. I collaborated with the artist Roxanne Yamins to create a synthesis of art and music. Her installation, which is featured above, depicts an electrical generator.

The first movement portrays the buzzing of electricity and the dangerous beauty of being near something so powerful. As reflected by the title, “Barely Contained,” the second movement depicts electricity out of control.