Micropraxis

Premiere: Composers Conference Ensemble

• Conductor: Vimbayi Kaziboni

• Piccolo: Barry Crawford

• Oboe: Peggy Pearson

• Clarinet: Rane Moore

• Bassoon: Adrian Morejon

• Horn: Leander Star

• Trumpet: Sam Jones

• Trombone: Mike Lormand

• Percussion: Mike Truesdell

• Piano: Steve Beck

• Violin: Jennifer Elowitch, Andrew Tholl, Leah Asher

• Viola: Louise Schulman

• Violoncello: Joshua Gordon

• Double Bass: Greg Chudzik

6’00"

This iteration of Micropraxis is a relatively short composition for a large ensemble. The piece features a playful and robotic sonic palette created by the ensemble’s execution of short whirs and blips. The combination of electric synthesizer evokes a futuristic atmosphere, while the brass instruments emulate the mechanical hiss of hydraulics, and the ticking percussion contributes a rhythmic precision.

In the first half of the piece, the sounds are intentionally scattered and overlapping, creating a sense of unpredictability. However, as the composition progresses, the ensemble gradually converges, culminating in a powerful reiteration of a singular chord in the second half.