Program Note |
Named for a mineral believed to promote inspiration, diminish fear, and bolster self-confidence, Tourmaline contrasts moments of unrest and uncertainty with passages of confidence and conviction. This contrast is most evident in the development of the opening passage’s motif of quickly repeated notes. In Tourmaline’s introductory measures, this motif is playful and whimsical; by the time we reach the work’s climax, these repeated notes have transformed into an insistent declaration.
Orchestrationally, I sought to extend the sound world of the sextet by adding non-standard percussion instruments, including acoustic guitar, two harmonicas, and slide whistle. The harmonicas and slide whistle lend an added sense of whimsy to the work, heightening the contrast with Tourmaline’s more introspective passages. |
Premiere |
Commissioned by Catchfire Collective (Greensboro, NC). Premiered in fall 2024.
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Recording |