Tripod (2011)

chamber orchestra: tpt/hn/tbn; fl/ob/cl/bsn; perc (musicians to be vertically spatialized, on three different levels)

12 min. 30 sec.

Tripod was written to accompany the Vancouver Art Gallery’s Surrealist exhibit, “The Colour of My Dreams”. Just as the Surrealist movement set out to explore the unconscious mind (mind’s eye), I was imagining this work unfolding through the aperture (eye) of the camera. Several photographic/filmic devices were employed, including focus, pan, dissolve, solarization, and extreme close-up, as well as use of bold chords (creating the “positive” and “negative” of an image). Morse code also makes an appearance, spelling out the letters “Y” (why?), and “E-Y-E”. The musical saw adds an otherworldly vocal layer to the music.

• Site-specific work, for vertically spatialized chamber orchestra (musicians to be spatialized on three different levels of the rotunda of the Vancouver Art Gallery). Concert presented by Redshift Music Society, along with the Canadian Music Centre, and the Canadian League of Composers. The concert was organized to showcase the work of three emerging BC composers: Elizabeth Knudson, James O’Callaghan, and Chistopher Reiche, all of whom were accepted into the CMC/CLC’s inaugural Young Composers Mentorship Programme. Premiered by Redshift Music Society, 7 June, 2011.

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Sheet music is available through the Canadian Music Centre.