THE SUN SPECKLED CLIMBING UP (2016)
for chamber orchestra and two sopranos
(1111.2 sax.111.perc.pno.11111)
12 minutes
Program Notes
The Sun Speckled Climbing Up takes its inspiration from Book of Hours, an artist book stitched on tissue paper by Laura Grey. Loosely following the structure of a medieval book of hours, the project reimagines the ancient prayerbook as a large, hand-stitched, table- sized book. Several texts from various sources are collaged together, creating a narrative that references the structure of the original, while offering a contemporary perspective on the practice of daily devotion. The Sun Speckled Climbing Up is a musical setting of one section from Book of Hours featuring fragments from Rainer Maria Rilke’s own Book of Hours collection. Accompanying the music are video projections created by Hannah Wasileski and Laura Grey comprised of slow moving close up footage of the hand stitched, tissue paper book. The Rilke text speaks of gaping emotional chasms, yearning, and desire. This sentiment finds its way into the music, fueling the piece’s angular vocal lines and churning ensemble rhythms.
This piece was commissioned by the Albany (NY) Symphony Orchestra and premiered June 10, 2016 by the Dogs of Desire at EMPAC, Troy, NY.
Recording by the Albany Symphony, directed by David Alan Miller, with video by Hannah Wasileski and book by Laura Grey.
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Performance materials for this piece are available for hire.
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Performances
June 10, 2016 EMPAC, Troy, NY. Dogs of Desire.