Catalyst

Years composed: 2013 – 2015

Instrumentation: fl, cl (a, b-flat, e-flat), vn, va, vc, perc*, pno

* – 1 player. Vibes, (7) crotales, snare drum, (2) toms, bass drum, (3) suspended cymbals (large, medium, small), and (3) suspended triangles (large, medium, small)

Duration (approx.): 20′

NOTES:

i. – tuning games/emergence [ca.5′]

ii. – through a yellow sky [ca. 12′]

iii. – interrobang [ca.3′]

AUDIO:

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PROGRAM NOTES

A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any kind of permanent change. In the case of my septet, the catalyst for the entire piece is the opening pitch, A5 (440Hz). It is the note you hear an orchestra tune up to and is in fact the pitch for which all other pitches are tuned against (and therefore determined, according to our present tuning system). Many of the harmonies and melodies of this septet are built off of it or use it as an axis point.

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By Jay

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