flute and three percussionists
18’00”
composed 2008
composed for flutist Teresa Beaman and percussionist Matthew Darling, premiered at the Fresno State Flute Festival (Fresno, California)
Composer’s Note
The following is a brief excerpt of my thoughts while writing notes for Neurotica:
Writing program notes for this work is proving to be considerably more difficult than I would have imagined. I am conflicted – do I share with my audience just how much of a neurotic head case I truly am? Or, do I hide the fact that this piece is personal, instead taking the cheaper route that claims the piece is about ‘neurosis in general?’ …Nah…that isn’t any fun. I am a fractured, imperfect soul. It is time for me to drop the façade and show my true self, warts and all.
Or, maybe I’ll just show a small bit, and let everyone figure out the rest…or, maybe just a sliver…or…ack, I can’t decide.
Perhaps I am overthinking this.
Neurotica reflects the real and personal human conditions of Anxiety, Obsession, Depression, and Mania in the form of musical invention. At the core of these four neurological conditions is an underlying theme of attempting to come to terms with one’s own personal demons. This is represented in the final movement, titled “Tranquility?,” demonstrating that this is an ongoing, and possibly never-ending endeavor.
Neurotica was composed for flautist Teresa Beaman and percussionist Matthew Darling.