ataxia

Program Notes

'ataxia' is the medical term for a neurological deficit that manifests as a lack of voluntary coordination among the muscles of the body. As I was writing this piece I was concerned with the way that harmonies can be developed across time, especially how harmonies can arise from jerking motions and surprising changes of texture. The piece begins with an extended unravelling from pitch into harmony, after which four melodic cells are introduced. These cells are then recontextualized as windows of harmony that interrupt the development of the piece, which fights to retain control over its forward motion. ataxia was commissioned by HOCKET as part of their Composer/Performer Initiative.