from the signal (2017)
from the signal was written for the Chicago Civic Orchestra's Composers Project and received its premiere at Symphony Hall in May 2017.
It is a piece for two simultaneously existing trios, where Trio 1 is comprised of clarinet, trumpet and percussion, and Trio 2 of violin, viola and 'cello. The ideas of identity and concealment are central to the piece, as each trio embodies a set of timbral characteristics that are respectively unique but exposed in different ways. Trio 1’s material is an orchestrated amplification/extension of the slow progression of an EBow down the string of an acoustic guitar (played by the percussionist), while Trio 2’s softer sounds explore notions of space and closeness as they relate to pitch.
This piece may raise questions about power dynamics, relationships and balance, but is in no way an attempt to make a conclusion about these things. The intent is rather to create a musical situation where listeners are invited to consider the meaning of these ideas for themselves (drawing their own conclusions, or not).
performance by the Chicago Civic Orchestra in 2017: