O N E M E N T (2007)

For Flute, Bass Clarinet, Vibraphone, Electric Guitar (or Synthesizer Keyboard), Violin and Double Bass

Awarded a 2008 ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award

Awarded 1st Prize in the 2008 SCI/ASCAP Student Commission

Awarded the 2008 Composers Conference & Chamber Music Center Commission

Awarded the 2008 Dean’s Prize/New Music Ensemble Commission from the Indiana University

Awarded the 2007 Brian M. Israel Prize from the New York Federation of Music Clubs

Awarded the New York Youth Symphony’s “First Music 25” Certificate of Achievement

Program Note:

The concept for Onement for chamber ensemble arose out of a close collaboration with choreographer Erin Fleck and through the inspiration of Barnett Newman’s painting Onement I (1948).

The music of Onement abstractly follows a narrative through its six-minute structure. The work depicts two worlds separated by a line that refracts the appearance of each world to the other, much like the orange line down the middle of Newman’s painting divides the solid chestnut red canvas in two.

The concept of line is central to the construction of the musical work, seeking to use the interplay of musical lines and the notion of dominance to unite and divide the composition. Musically, the piece is divided into two sections that both arise from the same motivic and melodic material. Though the original material is the same, each section refracts these musical motifs in its own way.

Recording:

Excerpts:

    Excerpt 1:

    Excerpt 2:

    Excerpt 3:

    Excerpt 4:

Full Recording :

Total duration: 6 minutes

Past Performances:

- Indiana University, April 3, 2007

- Modern Dance Department, Indiana University, April 27-28, 2007.

- Composers Conference at Wellesley College, August 4, 2007 (James Baker, conductor).

- Syracuse Society for New Music, October 16, 2007.

- Indiana University (MM Recital),January 29, 2008 (Fawzi Haimor, Conductor).

- Ball State University 38th Annual Festival for New Music , March 21, 2008.

- Indiana University SoFA Gallery, April 26, 2008 (Fawzi Haimor, conductor). 

- Cornell University (Cornell Contemporary Chamber Players), February 22, 2009

- SUNY Purchase Contemporary Ensemble, December 3, 2009

To see an image of Barnett Newman’s ONEMENT I: click here