Composition Portfolio

Abstract

This thesis consists of 6 pieces, divided by instrumentation.

“Two scenes from Atlantis in Flames” are two bass arias accompanied by mixed ensembles. “Salamander King” is a ferocious polytonal aria that dives into the depths of the singers' range. “Lullaby” is a gentler impression originally intended for baritone. “Crisis at TR 0.7” is an aria for tenor, accompanied by brass band. The piece features several sound effects, including multimedia voice modification. Not all of these modifiers are indicated on the score. “B1” is an unaccompanied flute solo designed to provide ambiance for Mike Carr's “In Search of the Unknown” module. “Flute Sonata” is a work for flute an piano exploring the psychologist Scott Peck's interviews with demonically oppressed patients in his book “The People of the Lie” “I. The Stars Watched with Envy” depicts the cold psychology of the demon spirits. “II. Warm, Cold, Lukewarm, Corruptable Soul” recreates the character of their victims, with several nods to Hans Christen Andersen's fairy tale, “The Snow Queen”. A third movement was planned to conclude the story with Peck's testimony of exorcisms. “Horn Concerto” is a sketch of a planned concerto featuring horn, trombone, and paino. “I. Raven's March” is a gruff steady march featuring the bass register of the horn. “II. Fantasia” is lighter and the sketch only features horn and piano. The horn is in the upper register. A Third movement to conclude was also planned. “Symphony Atmospheric” is a symphony for full orchestra with each of the five movements corresponding to each layer of the earth's atmosphere. “I. Exosphere” is dark, cold, isolated, and slow, like the molecules in space “II. Thermosphere” is fast, bright, and explosive, like a shooting star burning as it hurtles down towards earch. “III. Mesosphere” is calm, soothing, and radiant, but also cold and slowly degrading over time. This movement depicts the coldest layer of the atmosphere, as well as the effects of cosmic radiation within an otherwise unactive layer. “IV. Stratosphere” is whimsical, bouncy and droopy, and explores the many fun forms of clouds “V. Troposphere” is furious, relentless, and varied, representing a raging hurricane. These pieces explore all the completed works made at my time at University of Arizona, and demonstrate a mastery of music composition.