Cyborg

Instrumentation: contrabass clarinet in BB-flat
Duration: 09:02

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Program Notes

Cyborg delves into the odd character of the contrabass clarinet, an instrument whose deep, voice can feel more mechanical than organic. This piece explores the instrument’s boundaries, both sonically and theatrically, by transforming the instrument into an extension of the performer—a robotic appendage that blurs the line between human and machine.

The composition begins by drawing attention to the raw, unadulterated sounds of the contrabass clarinet, focusing on its ability to produce everything from rumbling lows to eerie, otherworldly tones. As the piece progresses, the performer is called upon to engage in a series of theatrical gestures, further emphasizing the instrument’s robotic nature. The performer must navigate the instrument's quirks and embracing its mechanical qualities to create a soundscape that is as much about the physicality of performance as it is about the music itself.