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Insensible Choices (2004-05) Duration: 10' 30" Instrumentation: clarinet, violin, cello, piano Alternate Versions: Availability: from the composer Recordings: available from Albany Records (TROY886 "Glisten") www.albanyrecords.com Program Notes: Frequently, the titles chosen for my
compositions have less
to do with the music itself than with my own demeanor and disposition
at the time. This is certainly
true of Insensible
Choices.
My work blunderingly began on this composition during a period of
serious self-doubt and despondency, to the
extent that little focused attention or concentration could be afforded
the
effort at all. All attempts to compose ceased for many months
while
I tried to decide whether this activity could ever resume again. And as
the title suggests, other decisions and choices during this time were
made with less prudence than usual. Eventually, when my ability to
continue
work did resume this music came quickly and easily. I strongly believe
that periods of making insensible choices befalls most
individuals from
time-to-time, so at least I felt confident in my "choice" of the title
for this work. Perhaps to counterbalance my own indecisive mindset, I wanted to create an uncharacteristically "light" piece. A work that would not be so serious, should not be too difficult for the players to perform, or for the audience to hear. It is melodic, even lyrical in sections, and often gravitates around a tonal center. A portion of the musical material of Insensible Choices (much of the middle section), was borrowed from a previous composition of mine for viola and marimba, re-worked and further developed. First Performance: Florida Southern College Festival of Fine Arts (Lakeland, Florida) Nov 2, 2006, by Ibis Camerata: Christopher Graham (clarinet), Dmitri Pogorelov (violin), Ian Maksin (cello), and Biljana Milovanovic (piano) Other Performances: The Roper Performing Arts Center (Norfolk, VA) Nov 10, 2011, by The Hardwick Chamber Ensemble: John Winsor (clarinet), Jeanette Winsor (piano), and guest artists Broadcast on The Society for New Music "Fresh Ink" program, Oct 2011 (WCNY-FM Syracuse, WUNY-FM Utica, and WJNY Watertown) All Saints Episcopal Church (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) Nov 26, 2006, by Ibis Camerata: Christopher Graham (clarinet), Dmitri Pogorelov (violin), Ian Maksin (cello), and Biljana Milovanovic (piano) Recorded for Albany Records release of "Glisten" May 5, 2006, by Ibis Camerata: Christopher Graham (clarinet), Domagoj Ivanovic (violin), Marie-Elaine Gagnon (cello), and Biljana Milovanovic (piano) |