New Skin was written for flutist Barbara Held. It combines recordings of dawn from various locations, digitally processed gong and percussion sounds, and live alto flute in a structured improvisation. In many cultures sunrise is received with rituals of respect and thankfulness, acknowledged as a new beginning, or rebirth. In this composition my intention is to evoke an arrival into "light" - a sense of awakening to a new day.
New Skin is available on Innova Recordings 662 (Alexandra Gardner, Luminoso)
Barbara Held, flute; Alexandra Gardner, computer
alto flute
computer (running Max/MSP)
Duration: 14 minutes
Premiere: November 17, 2003
Metronom, Barcelona, Spain
Commissioned by: Barbara Held