portrait IO (2020)

for sampler and large ensemble (18 musicians)

excerpt


Instrumentation: Flute in C/Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet In Bb, Bassoon, Horn in F, Trumpet, Trombone, Keyboard 1 (sampler), Keyboard 2 (Max Patch), Accordion (bayan), Percussion (2 players), 2 Violins, Viola, 2 Celli, Double Bass (w/ C extension).

Duration: 16 minutes.

Premiere Performance: March 01, 2020 with Ensemble Modern and Enno Poppe, conductor; cresc... – Biennale für Moderne Musik, Frankfurt, DE.

portrait IO is music about the interaction of everyday sounds (played by a sampler) with an instrumental ensemble, in a relationship of both imitation and commentary (i.e. soundtrack). The work is something of a self-portrait, with sounds taken from my daily routine, physical surroundings, and sounds that trigger strong memories of my past. This personal library of samples ranges from quiet and intimate elements—such as scribbling a pencil on paper—to the opposite, experienced as crowd noise, traffic, rehearsal with musicians, etc.

All sounds are organized through a logic and imagery of “input-output”: breathing in/out, indoors/outdoors, open/close, private/public, and question/answer.

The work is written for Ensemble Modern and conductor Enno Poppe, and is musically dedicated to composer Hildegard Westerkamp.