Duration: 35-45 minutes
For: flute/bass flute, clarinet/bass clarinet, piano, voice, cello, laptop, and live electronics
Spiritscapes (2025) grew out of collaborative improvisations with Laura Cocks (flute), Madison Greenstone (clarinet), and Tom Kraines (cello) with myself on piano, voice, and electronics. Comprised of four movements (I. Ocean, II. Tundra, III. Rainforest, and IV. Plains), metaphorically, Spiritscapes explores the idea of inner states as ecological biomes, a kind of spiritual ecology. Narratively, it is a deeply personal work that depicts the impact of PTSD and gradual therapeutic recovery. The piece traverses a series of “‘scapes” that mirror the shifting, sometimes treacherous, yet always resourced inner world. From deepest oceanic depths to the stark desolation of the Tundra, from the resplendent Rainforest to the open expanse of the Plains, each “spiritscape” reflects the passage through the inner world. Ultimately, Spiritscapes documents a process of letting go and the discovery of fragile freedom, an emergence into true possibility.
The piece operates in a liminal space between improvisation and composition, with notation designed to balance performer choice with composer intentionality. Much of the musical material, developed out of improvisational studio sessions, represents parts of each musician’s unique expressive practice. Performers are encouraged to bring their virtuosity not only as instrumentalists but as creative decision-makers, living instruments with their own practice, ethos, and preferences. The progression of musical time is determined by the collective choices of the musicians.
With deepest gratitude to my collaborators, whose trust and sense of adventure allowed this piece to flourish.
Audio
Workshop recordings featuring Laura Cocks (flute), Madison Greenstone (clarinet), Tom Kraines (cello), and Cerulean Payne-Passmore (keyboard, voice, electronics).