Insomnolence

          Insomnolence was written in two days as part of an assignment for my graduate level work at Michigan State. The piece captures the vivid image of nighttime restlessness, a struggle that I had endured for many years. In the beginning the tension swells through an array of dissonances and rapidly changing dynamic levels alluding to the early night terrors one might experience. This is followed by a more somber section written with a much more ethereal intent. Reminiscence of the tension remains, but the listener is fooled by musical pleasantries in a relaxing mood. Through final attempts to drift off into dreamland we are engulfed in a display of delirium complimented by a swaying feel with a variation on the original motive in the clarinet until finally all of the senses succumb to the night and we drift off into slumber.

Insomnolence was premiered on March 30,2014 at the Avenue Cafe in Lansing, MI by MSU doctoral students Sarah Manasreh (Clarinet) and Justin Rito (Piano) as part of the Unwind series. It was them given a reprise performance at the MSU Composition Studio's Premieres Concert on April 1, 2014.

 

Note: This work is registered with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). If you would like to perform this piece please ensure that you contact them before the performance.