And the Forest Pranced on the Stars

Graham S.

• Artist Statement

  This piece began as an experimentation in unorthodox instrumentation. I chose to use two pianos, a tenor saxophone, a violin, and a cello, a rather uncommon ensemble. These are instruments I enjoy and I wanted to explore the unique ways they could compliment each other. I attempted to use each instrument uniquely, showcasing their strengths: the rhythmic and tonal diversity of the pianos, the contrastingly piercing and mellow tones of the violin and cello, and the range of timbres present in the saxophone. The two movements of this piece aim to showcase the collaboration which these instruments can achieve; while the first movement focuses mainly on the ensemble, with several full ensemble moments, the second movement jumps between instruments more, showcasing each individually. The title is an homage to the similar character of nature, as a body with numerous unique parts and yet one distinguishable harmony.

• Creative Statement

  To me, creativity is an exploration of the things that we find meaningful. I believe the two fundamentals of creativity are the attempt at something new and the attempt to create something that is meaningful, whether that be as a means for social justice, emotional reconciliation, or other impact.