FEAR, HIDING, PLAY

Composed: 2021
Commission: The American Wild Ensemble
Premiere: International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest July 2021
Duration: 11 minutes
Instrumentation: flute/alto flute, clarinet, cello

PROGRAM NOTES

Before beginning to compose this work, it was exciting to meet up with the performers and search for certain types of sounds and extended techniques.  Some of the sounds we discovered reminded me of the frightened screeches of birds and animals around the Great Lakes when their homes and lives are in jeopardy. Thus the musical ideas are inspired by fright and hiding.  The human fear associated with coronavirus COVID-19, and hiding at home became a defining part of this work as well.  Perhaps the greatest part of the fear for both humans and animals is not knowing when or if the threat will strike.  The music reflects the gnawing burden of fear, hiding and isolation and the longing to escape.  Eventually anxious boredom dissolves into fun-filled playing and dancing that becomes more and more exuberant.