Re-return
Hello interweb.
It’s been a while since I’ve visited this page (which, I now realize, is a sad and recurring theme), but never the less I am here, and with much to tell.
Those of you who know me know that I’ve recently graduated from PSU. Those of you who don’t know me – I’ve recently graduated from PSU. With much finagling, crying, begging, pleading, and groveling, the powers-to-be decided that it would be in their best interests to grant me a Masters of Science in Music degree (how’s that for some fancy alliteration?). Although I don’t know what was specifically “scientific” about the degree program, I still feel really good about this accomplishment.
Those of you who know me also know that I’ve been on the job hunt for a while now. Well, I can happily say that that search has come to an end. Aramark has determined that I’m sufficiently qualified to serve wine and sell candy bars, so in the coming weeks you may see me at the Schnitz, or the Newmark Theater, or the Keller Auditorium concession stands. Who doesn’t like a Snickers with their Pinot?
This is all well and good, mainly because this new found security is going to be very useful on the musical front. I’ve recently completed a brand new commission for Evan Kuhlman; a trio for Violin, Bassoon, and Piano titled Factions. The title, like the entire piece and it’s main subject, is a portmanteau of the words fact and fiction. The main melody, introduced by a solo bassoon in the opening passages, is essentially two separate melodies linked by a common tone – G# (or Ab depending on the context). The over-all form of the piece also reflects this binary quality in mood and pitch centers (or lack thereof in some parts). Factions is divided into seven continuous movements played without pause:
I. Terra Firma
II. Fisticuffs, part 1
III. Fisticuffs, part 2
IV. Becoming…
V. Violet Crepescule
VI. Two.
VII. Re-intention.
I’m going to try and aim for a Spring premier, but the piece is hot off the presses and not even in it’s finalized form yet, so this is still TBD.
In other news, I’ve teamed up with Brandon Conway and we’re going to be resurrecting the Portland New Music Society. We’re still in the talking stages, but we just met this morning, and we’ve got a plan. I’ll announce more details as they emerge, but for now I can say that I’ll be putting out a call for composers, performers, and improvisers… so stay tuned.
