Shifts in Atmospheric Pressure at 41 N, 105 W

Shifts in Atmospheric Pressure at 41 N, 105 W is my fourth attempt at exploring, through sound, the complexity and composition of American landscapes. In this case, the sound is derived primarily from the fickle weather patterns I experienced at this location, in addition to the physical features of the landscape itself. This piece, however, does not necessarily create a sonic translation of the experience of weather--that interpretation is left up to the listener.

The idea of “atmospheric pressure” is fascinating to me because it simultaneously connotes the tactile experience of climate and weather patterns but also the physical propagation of sound waves, an occurrence necessary to the transmission of music. With this in mind, one objective of this piece is, simply, the creation of sound. These are simple sounds that slowly morph to create complex and rich timbre and texture, sounds I consider to be the unique and raw vocabulary of the instruments in this ensemble. In another sense, the objective of this piece is to transform the shifts in atmospheric pressure responsible for those Wyoming weather patterns into a different kind of shifts in atmospheric pressure, shifts that result from the vibration of the instruments and are perceived by the audience, courtesy of their ears and brains. As a result, sounds rub up against each other, converge and diverge, and, sometimes unexpectedly, shift.

This piece was composed for the International Contemporary Ensemble