Elemental Spiral (2005) for soprano saxophone, violoncello, multi-percussion
Small Ensemble - Digital Sheet Music

Elemental Spiral is the result of some of my recent work linking elemental aspects of esoteric. The work begins with an electronic prelude, and moves to the instrumental portion at about 4:00.

healing and vibration (sound). The concept of matter and form being integrally connected and influenced/formed by sound has been studied since ancient times, and myths from various world cultures mention gods or beings that could manifest form from matter through their "voice." Recent work by Hans Jenny verifies the connection between sound and form (see Cymatics).

Similarly, the power of music to affect response in individuals is a popular subject of ancient and modern writers. My interest in the work stems from observing how people react to my music, in which I believe certain thoughts and feelings are somehow encoded, transmitted and received during performance. My research stems from a desire to increase my own awareness of sound, its affect, and to connect this to my art. The integration of dance with the music creates a visual relationship that marries the sound and its intention.

Elemental Spiral maps elemental associations (earth, water, fire, and air) to the musical context in a deliberate fashion. At this stage my associations are fairly literal, and various qualities (i.e. earth=slow, fire=energetic, air=fast frenetic) are mapped directly onto musical material. The associations become richer when one state changes to another or comes into being (water->air, becoming earth etc.) and when various qualities are mixed (air-pitch with earth rhythm etc.).

The intended effect is an overall balancing of the musical structure with desirable or pleasing proportions (the age old compositional question). This balancing is well known to all of us, for instance-elementally-much of Beethoven’s music moves between water and fire elements (mapping of speed and pitch), and the tempos of symphonic movements fast-slow-med. fast-fast is an affirmation that a balance of tempi and musical content is found to be pleasing.

I express my deepest gratitude to Donald Laney who choreographed the dance for this work. He was somehow able to convert my "musings" into movement and in the process far exceeded my expectations. Special thanks also to the WV Commission on the Arts and the NEA whose support made the creation of this work possible.

Elemental Spiral is suitable for advanced performers.

Performance materials available for purchase from the publisher: mjicmusicpublishing@gmail.com