BENTHIC (2019)

2 Bsn, 4 Vln, 2 Vla, 2 Vc, DB (c. 20 min) Premiere: April 4, Dora Stoutzker Hall, Cardiff

The term “Benthic” refers to the lowest ecological region in a body of water. The subconscious is frequently thought of as a sea or an ocean. This piece uses an unconventional ensemble (two string quartets set up in mirror image, with two bassoons and a double bass in the center) as a sort of spatial and musical metaphor for the mind. The connection between the subconscious and conscious, as well as current medical theories surrounding mental illness—such as the link between synaptic pruning and schizophrenia—are explored through various musical means, including sound spatialization across the ensemble, and harmonic / melodic interplay and juxtaposition.