december (2004) for string orchestra
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Duration 7:30
For performance materials, contact the composer at bfs217@gmail.com. Current recording not compatible with mobile devices. Updated player coming soon. |
Program Notes
“december" was written in memory of two members of my immediate family. Friday, December 19, 2003, marks the death of my grandmother, Nelda Jean Simmons at the age of 65. One week later, Friday, December 26, her granddaughter, my 17 year old cousin Amanda Jean Simmons, was killed in a car accident. This was also my first completed composition after moving to Kansas City, having my car stolen twice and totaled, and adjusting to life away from home. The piece explores the idea of certain emotions (along with mixed feelings) having a specific sound and timbre. The piece is divided into two large sections. The first is an elegy that uses intervals based on Silent Night, while the second makes use of aleatoric notation to essentially transform emotions into sound (while experimenting with different textures available in the string orchestra).
Performance
(Reading session only, no performances)
“december" was written in memory of two members of my immediate family. Friday, December 19, 2003, marks the death of my grandmother, Nelda Jean Simmons at the age of 65. One week later, Friday, December 26, her granddaughter, my 17 year old cousin Amanda Jean Simmons, was killed in a car accident. This was also my first completed composition after moving to Kansas City, having my car stolen twice and totaled, and adjusting to life away from home. The piece explores the idea of certain emotions (along with mixed feelings) having a specific sound and timbre. The piece is divided into two large sections. The first is an elegy that uses intervals based on Silent Night, while the second makes use of aleatoric notation to essentially transform emotions into sound (while experimenting with different textures available in the string orchestra).
Performance
(Reading session only, no performances)