Chasing Infinity

Instrumentation
Glockenspiel
Vibraphone
Chimes
Xylophone, Shared Vibraphone
Marimba 1 (4.3-octave)
Marimba 2 (4.3-octave)
Marimba 3 (5-octave)
Timpani (4 drums), Claves

Percussion 1 [Snare Drum, 2 Triangles, Small Suspended Cymbal]
Percussion 2 [Snare Drum, Finger Cymbals, Bongos, Congas (2), Medium Suspended Cymbal]
Percussion 3 [Bell Tree, Large Suspended Cymbal, Ocean Drum, Wind Chimes, 2 Woodblocks]
Percussion 4 [4 Concert Toms, China Cymbal, Hi-Hat]
Percussion 5 [Concert Bass Drum, Multi-Bass Drum, Tam-Tam]

Program Notes

Commissioned by Wilbrand van Norel to be used as a required piece in the 2018 Open Nederlandse Slagwerk Kampioenschappen (ONSK) in The Netherlands, Chasing Infinity draws its inspiration from a quote by Gustave Flaubert (from “The Letters of Gustave Flaubert 1830-1857”):

“Everything measurable passes, everything that can be counted has an end.
Only three things are infinite:
the sky in its stars,
the sea in its drops of water,
and the heart in its tears.”

These “three things” help organize the piece into three large contrasting sections. The first section, the sky in its stars, is less about melody and more about painting a sonic impression of the sparkling, infinite energy of the night sky. While there is an overarching melody that eventually emerges, the changing textures are most important. The second section, the sea in its drops of water, is much calmer and expands on the melodic motives that were introduced in the first section. It culminates in a glorious climax before sinking back into the calm of the sea. The third and final section, the heart in its tears, is closely related to the first section, but it is tonally much brighter and resolute.