F O U R   S C U L P T U R E S (2007)

For Two Trumpets

On Sculptures by Derek Parker

 

Awarded 2nd Prize in the 2007 NACUSA Young Composers Competition

 

Program Note:

Four Sculptures is inspired by four sculptures by Derek Parker: Fifteen Feet Closer to the Sky, Submarine Egg, Precipice, Going Up the Down Side.

 

I. Fifteen Feet Closer to the Sky:

The sculpture, of the same name, represents two ascending metal wires that begin conjoined and gradually separate. At the tip of each wire is a metal “paper airplane.” The intertwining lines of the two trumpets culminate at the top of the sculpture where a flurry of activity sends the paper airplanes shooting off into the sky until all we can see are receding specks disappearing into the distance.

 

II. Submarine Egg:

The sculpture, of the same name, depicts a submarine in a bird’s nest. In conversations with Derek Parker, I learned that the sculpture represents Parker’s six years of service in the United States Navy and how the military became his home away from home. The movement references the “The Star Spangled Banner” through fragmentation of the lines of text: “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air” and “and the home of the brave.”

 

III. In Memoriam:

The movement is loosely inspired by Parker’s sculpture, “Precipice,” which consists of a lone metal chair fastened to a long wooden plank. The minimalist design of the sculpture and isolation of the chair evoke a sense of deep contemplation.

 

IV. Going Up the Down Side:

The sculpture depicts a small boat traveling up the “down side” of a tall metal ramp. The work represents the upward struggle of the tiny boat against the downward force of the metal ramp. Will the boat ever reach the top?

 

Recording:

Full Recordings:

1. I.Fifteen Feet Closer to the Sky -
   

2. II. Submarine Egg -
   

III. In Memoriam -

IV. Going Up the Down Side -

 

Total duration: 12 minutes

 

 

 

Past performances:

- Oberlin College, July 3, 2007,(Joel Brennan, Aaron Hodgson).

- Indiana University, November 6, 2007 (EJ Ramos, Nick Volz).

- Utrecht, Netherlands, November 19, 2007 (Joel Brennan, Aaron Hodgson).

- Indiana University, January 29, 2008 (Alex Noppe, Nick Volz).

- University of Iowa School of Music, February 9, 2008 (Alex Noppe, Nick Volz).

- Cornell University, November 2, 2008 (Tim Leopold, Hugo Moreno).

- Northwestern University, Midwest Graduate Music Consortium 2009, April 3, 2009

- Yale University, December 10, 2009.

 

To see Derek Parker’s sculpture: click here