Terrarium

Instrumentation:  Flute, Alto Saxophone, Horn in F, Percussion, and Piano

Duration:  ca. 6:45

Program Note:

Terrarium is a work that explores the transition between two musical ecosystems and the feeling of being transplanted into an unfamiliar environment.  While the core musical material of the work is constructed from the same four-note motive throughout, sections of the piece represent different attitudes of repose, excitement, anxiety, and adaptation.  This piece represents an enclosed musical space— much like a physical terrarium— where the listener can observe the reactions of the transplanted organism from a distance.

This work was submitted as part of a call for scores for the USC-based Spark Collective.

Premiere:  December 1, 2018; Columbia, SC.  The Spark Collective: Sabrina Raber, flute; Matthew Castner, saxophone; Dakota Corbliss, horn; Ben Haimann, percussion; Grace Shepard, piano.