Internal States
(2016) 20 min.
flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion, electronics
Premiere
February, 2017, Drinkward Hall, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CAPerformers
Brightwork newmusic: Sara Andon, flute/ alto flute ; Brian Walsh, clarinet/bass clarinet; Tereza Stanislav, violin; Margaret Parkins, cello
Movements
I. Doubt II. Reverie III. CelebrationReviews
Tom Flaherty’s Internal States . . . one of the standout pieces of the night. Much of the evening’s music foregrounded repetition and layering as compositional tools. Ian Dicke’s Isla did this with flute, vibraphone, and pulsing electronics. The interplay between the acoustic and electronic elements was steady yet flowing, slowly gathering momentum. Tom Flaherty’s Internal States, one of the standout pieces of the night, used similar techniques in a more dramatic arc.
. . .click for more. . .
—Charles Burns,
San Francisco Classical Voice
Notes
Internal States reflects, as all music does, inner states that we all experience. "Doubt" hovers between two harmonic worlds. An unsettled texture breaks into consonant major/minor sonority with some frequency. Just as often it remains locked in a paralyzed isometric state, unsure of where to go. Searching solo lines sometimes find resolution, sometimes continue the search. Just when the music might blossom into a clear resolution it takes an unexpected turn and ends with a quiet truce. "Reverie" mingles cloudy textures with expressive solo lines in an often dark but ambiguous dreamscape. "Celebration," dances. A lot. Internal States was commissioned by Brightwork newmusic, whose expressive and virtuosic playing were a constant inspiration.
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