D a v i d   V e s s

'Livewire' is an infernal contraption for my friend David Angelo. The entire work is built on a short 5 note motif, first presented jaggedly as an additive passacaglia that abruptly opens the piece. The motif takes a more melodic form when it bursts forth in the brass. The bass clarinet soloist plays many roles, starting the piece like a great machine, waking from a thousand year slumber and then leaping into a twitchy, bouncy bass rhythm that recurs throughout the work. The soloist juggles many unusual techniques, from singing chant-like phrases in 5ths through their instrument to aleatoric rhythmic passages.

It has been a joy to write this for David, I couldn't have asked for a better collaborator.