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Negative Space
For Solo Percussion (2021)
Program Note:
The title “Negative Space” has multiple different meanings within the context of this work. The first is described within the narrative of the titles, an allusion to how mankind’s actions for technological development have caused great amounts of destruction across the globe – specifically to nature. Similarly, the arc of this work is such that we begin with peace and devolve into greater and greater chaos, with the final movement being a duality between our busy progress and primitive desire to keep moving forward.
Negative space is also commonly used within films to give breath and distance to an often action-packed sequence within a movie. One of my favorite movies, “Spirited Away” by screenwriter Hayao Miyazaki (in Japanese, one would use “Ma” 間 to indicate the same phenomenon) demonstrates exquisitely how to use this concept of space to give birth to powerful moments out of meditative emptiness. In this work, I seek to capture the beauty within the simultaneity of action and inaction represented within the three movements.
Performances:
July 12, 2021: Harrison Honor, percussion; Juilliard Summer Percussion Seminar
May 7, 2021: Harrison Honor, percussion; Artist Diploma Showcase, The Juilliard School, Manhattan, NY
April 30, 2021: Harrison Honor, percussion; Paul Hall, The Juilliard School, Manhattan, NY