big mosquito (2017)

[A] for Bass Clarinet and Double Bass

[B] for Bass Clarinet and Organ

Composed for Université d'Altitude (France)

ca. 6 min.​

Request PDF score HERE

27th International Review of Composers Call for Scores (Belgrade, Serbia)

  The human instinct to swat at mosquitoes is a well-known reaction to the annoyance and potential health risks these tiny insects pose. When we spot a mosquito, especially during the quiet moments of our daily lives or when we're trying to sleep, our immediate response is often to eliminate the threat by swatting it away. However, this simple act of self-defense can lead to a moment of hesitation when confronted with exceptionally large mosquitoes.

  When dealing with a smaller mosquito, it's easy to dismiss it as a nuisance and act on impulse to eliminate it. However, when facing a significantly larger mosquito, our actions may be tempered by a sense of uncertainty. This raises an intriguing question: why does size matter?

"big mosquito" for bass clarinet and double bass was composed while in residency at the Corporation of Yaddo, Saratoga Springs, NY in May and June of 2017. Inspirations for this piece came when I was attacked by a big mosquito during my residency. Repetition of delicate and subtle musical phrases in the lower registers meddle through the work, which makes a slight change in the pattern, or the sudden silence, act as an accent. This piece was premiered in Saint Martin Vésubie, France, on July 15, 2017, by Alain Billard and Nicolas Crosse. This work may be performed with alternative instrumentation of bass clarinet and organ.

July 15, 2017 (World Premiere)

Université d'Altitude

Espace Jean Grinda, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, France

Ensemble Multilatérale: Alain Billard (B. Cl.), Nicolas Crosse (Cb.)

August 6, 2017 (Japan Premiere)

OTO-Asobi 2017: Tokyo Concert

NextSunday Asagaya

Tsubasa Kaneda (B. Cl.), Rion Kidokoro (Cb.)

​

January 13, 2018 (US Premiere)

Beyond: Microtonal Music Festival and Symposium

University of Pittsburgh Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Pittsburgh, PA

Emily Cook (B. Cl.), Ryan McMasters (Cb.)

​

August 3, 2018

現代のサウンドスケープ

Mita Hall, Osaka, Japan

Iván Solano (B. Cl.), Rintaro Kojima (Cb.)​

​

October 7, 2018 (Serbia Premiere)

27th International Review of Composers

Composers' Association of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia

Predrag Nedeljković (B. Cl.), Goran Kostić (Cb.)

​

June 13, 2023

REED[S]

Église Sainte-Aurélie, Strasbourg, France

Iván Solano (B. Cl.), Jean-Luc Iffrig (Organ)