Signals
for winds, brass, piano and electric bass (1997; 13 min.)
Signals was composed in 1998 on commission from the Dutch ensemble Orkest de Volharding and the Koussevitzky Music Foundations in the Library of Congress; I am grateful to composer/trombonist Willem van Manen for his help in suggesting the commission to Volharding, a group which he co – founded. The premiere took place at The Max/Melkweg in Amsterdam on April 7, 1999.
The title has two meanings. One has to do with a feeling I have frequently when composing that I’m not generating the music myself, but am like a radio receiving sound signals from elsewhere; this sensation was especially strong while I was working on this piece. Signals also refers to the repeated notes in irregular, Morse Code – like rhythms that crop up frequently in the work.
AUDIO NOT AVAILABLE