Cataclysm
Commissioned by the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic & Artistic Director Jeffery Meyer for the XXV International New Music Festival
Instrumentation Large Orchestra (Smaller orchestration also available.)
Duration 7'
Awards
2016 - Marilyn K. Glick Prize from the Indianapolis Symphony
2015 - Alternate, Minnesota Orchestra Composers Institute
2014 - USC New Music for Orchestra Prize
2013 - BMI Composer Award
*Instrumentation (*Smaller orchestration also available.)
Piccolo, 2 Flutes (dbl. as Piccolo 2.3), 2 Oboes, English Horn, 2 Clarinets in Bb, 1 Bass Clarinet in Bb (dbl. as Clarinet 3 in Bb), 2 Bassoons, Contrabassoon, 4 Horns in F, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Strings, Harp, Piano, Timpani, 3 Percussion [Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, Chimes, Crotales, Bass Drum, 2 Tam-Tams (M,L), Concert Toms (L,M,H), Brake Drums (L,H), Two Triangles (L,H), Crash Cyms., China Cymbal, 2 Sus. Cym (M,L), Japanese Temple Bowl, Large Bell Tree, **(C2 Tuned Gong)]
**(Tuned Bass Gong is optional; if unavailable it can be omitted.)
Program Notes
Cataclysm (2013-14) was written for the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic and Artistic Director Jeffery Meyer, who gave its premiere in Glinka Hall, St. Petersburg, as part of the XXV International New Music Festival. Drawing inspiration from dream states and surrealism, the piece begins quietly, shrouded in mysterious ringing chords. Bubbling string murmurs take over, launching us into what will become a disjointed wild ride. As the piece develops, murkier textures burst into life-like focus, and turbulent interjections from the brass and percussion punctuate the music with surprise. Towards the end, the music's visceral, violent, intensity begins to transform, now channeling its energy towards a final, triumphant, climax. In the closing moments, searing trombone cries lead to a final clangor of brake drums in the percussion – an ultimate jolt waking us from this haunting nightmare!
— Daniel Temkin
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