THRASH/​counterTHRASH

Program Notes

In this piece, two antipodal textures are established and juxtaposed against each other, one centered around a maximal construction of elements, the other based on a minimal treatment of material. The body of the piece consists in the gradual metamorphosis of one material into the other and vice versa; the maximal texture is slowly scrubbed of details, gestures, and pitch material, while the minimal texture gains activity and motion as it sits in space. THRASH/counterTHRASH was commissioned by Copland House for its CULTIVATE 2021 emerging composers’ institute, and was premiered by the Music from Copland House ensemble. CULTIVATE 2021 fellowships and commissions were funded by the Amphion Foundation, ArtsWestchester, ASCAP Foundation, BMI Foundation, Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, Friends of Copland House, Jandon Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, NewMusicUSA, and New York State Council on the Arts.