S E E P
for wind ensemble
3(3=picc).2.3.bcl.(opt.cbcl).2(opt.cbsn)—2asax.1tsax.1bsax—4.3.3.1—pno—timp.perc(4)
completed 2017
8 minutes
SEEP optimized score: page 1
Program Note
The Porter Ranch gas leak was a catastrophic event that took place in 2015 in Southern California, releasing a massive amount of methane into the atmosphere and causing widespread health problems for the surrounding community. The leak brought attention to the broader issues of environmental degradation and corporate negligence, inspiring a wave of activism and advocacy for change. It was in this context that I was first exposed to the abstract paintings of Gerhard Richter and became captivated by his use of thick, viscous paint and the unpredictable way the colors spread and layered on the canvas.
Inspired by Richter's unique approach to abstraction and affected by the tragedy in Porter Ranch, I sought to translate these concepts into music, resulting in the piece SEEP. The work features harmonic smears that transform over time much like Richter's paintings and like gas transfering across the atmosphere. Through this musical interpretation, I hope to bring attention to the broader societal issues highlighted by the Porter Ranch gas leak, and to pay homage to the courage and tenacity of those who fought for change in the wake of this disaster.
[SEEP was completed in 2017 and is scored for piccolo (doubling flute), 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 3 clarinets in B-flat, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 2 alto saxophones, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 4 horns, 3 trumpets in B-flat, 2 trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, string bass, piano, timpani, and percussion (vibraphone, glockenspiel, crotales, chimes, marimba, high, medium, and low suspended cymbals, large tam-tam, low gong, water gong, water chimes). It was written for the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music New Music for Wind Ensemble Readings and has an approximate performance time of 8 minutes.]
More on the Porter Ranch gas leak in the time since the disaster