PROGRAM NOTES

Kindling is a reflection on the spontaneous, yet repetitive motion of fire. From the outset of the piece, the ricochet bowing of the cello and the steady pulse of the kick drum stoke the flame, while the violin flickers and flares in response. As the piece builds, a flurry of tremolos and natural harmonics are used to express motion that is both active and static. Eventually, the ensemble, led by the piano and strings, conjures a steady orange glow with a series of phrases that quickly appear and dissipate. The rapid alternations between these distinct phrases coalesce to form a continuous, burning texture.

Composition Details

Completed in 2018 and premiered on April 5th, 2018 by the Boston New Music Initiative at the Arts at the Armory in Somerville, MA. The piece was commissioned by the BNMI as part of their 5th Annual Commissioning Competition.

Instrumentation

Flute, Bass Clarinet, Percussion*, Piano, Violin, Cello

*kick drum, hi and low tom, hi bongo, woodblock

Duration

~8 minutes