Light, Awaken (2022)
alto saxophone, flute, violin, piano, percussion (vibraphone/suspended cymbal)
Duration: 9′
Click HERE to view a PDF of the score.
Available for purchase: JW Pepper, Sheet Music Plus, and Sheet Music Direct
About Light, Awaken
Light Awaken was premiered at the UNLV Nextet new music series concert on March 23, 2022 featuring Shawna Pennock (alto sax), Lauren Zwonik-Stutz (flute), Weiwei Le (violin), Jennifer Bellor (piano), and Gabriela Ordoñez Villalobos (percussion). The premiere also featured a robotic arm playing mini cymbals with Tim Warren conducting.
While composing Light, Awaken, I was inspired by the motion and sound of a robotic arm, which I was introduced to by mechatronic engineers. I imagined a beautiful, melodic composition that includes the sweeping motion and sound of the robotic arm paired with saxophone multiphonics, flute wind tones, and violin harmonics. When Light, Awaken was premiered, I included a visual element on stage, featuring the robotic arm that inspired the composition.
Throughout the piece, there are bursts of energy – soloistic and textural passages featuring each of the instruments. At the climactic moments, the instruments come together, as if each is a specific puzzle piece that fits together to create a beautiful realization.
Here are some excerpts from the premiere featuring the robotic arm: