The Elements (2018)

for Baroque Ensemble

Two Violin, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Two Viola da Gambas, Harpsichord

Commissioned by Les Delices

Duration: 13 min

Program Note

I wrote The Elements for Les Delices, to be programmed alongside François Rebel’s Les Elemens. In his work, Rebel boldly breaks convention for a striking depiction of Chaos. With Rebel as inspiration, I chose to write a piece that pronounces sonic imagery as its primary focus. Composing for period instruments allowed me to work out a vocabulary of colors and gestures that felt particularly well-suited for this project.

My piece is in four movements, each corresponding to one of the four elements. For “Earth”, I wrote unhurried, vertical music, focusing on thick, sturdy chords in the harpsichord and strings. “Air” is the least substantial movement, and is characterized by fluttery trills and breezy scales. “Water” depicts the endless churning of the ocean with deep, swelling sonorities in the viols, while the winds intone a long line punctuated by distant flickering of the harpsichord. The finale movement, “Fire”, is the most energetic and jagged in the set. The instruments attempt to ignite the fire repeatedly, emitting sparks and smoke.

Performances

4/5/2019 - Les Delices

4/6/2019 - Les Delices

4/7/2019 - Les Delices