Threnody/Incipient/Avoidable

Excerpt (1’22″)

Excerpt (1’08″)

Excerpt (1’42″)

Intrada Winds, (Conor Nelson, Jeremy Eig, Karisa Werdon, Rheagan Osteen, and Stephanie Corwin)

Without a clear understanding of the truth, can we really form solid opinions about what happens in the world around us? It seems that many have; various news sources constantly present (opposing) facts on current events: local or world. Is the truth being altered slowly as it travels from the original source to our television/computer screens, newspapers and radios? Is there corruption on a higher level that is keeping the whole truth from the public? It seems one has to admit being completely unqualified to take a firm opinion in the matters at hand today. The only thing that seems obvious is the assurance of continued aggression and deception carried forth by our world leaders.

Threnody/Incipient/Avoidable reflects on these thoughts; not knowing anything except the political acts of belligerence and continual cycle of violence as a response to violence. Many of the musical ideas and harmonies in the work are presented in a multitude of ways, never truly revealing what the original source is. Threnody was written for those who have suffered from the unnecessary violence in the world. The piece is intended to stand as its own musically entity; however, it can abstractly allude to the premise expressed above.

Threnody was commissioned by Grand Valley State University with partial funding from an Encore Grant (of the American Composers Forum). It was written specifically for the award-winning Intrada Winds and premiered on October 13, 2006 at SUNY Stony Brook University. C.R. Kasprzyk’s artistic interests lie in his general surroundings being a large influence in the outcome of his new compositions. Also imperative in this process is consideration for the world around him, creating musical compositions that provoke thoughts on life, current events, and the planet we live in. From the harmonic analysis of an elevator to the rhythmic examinations of a crowd of peoples’ speech, Kasprzyk delves into the inherent features of the sounds around him, taking many excursions to produce refined works of new classical literature.

Specific to Threnody/Incipient/Avoidable, the form, textures, and many other musical elements of the work are derived from a recording of the composer at home, washing dishes and cooking. This avoids traditional forms and creates a more life-like feel, embracing a live in the moment atmosphere. The harmonies are obtained from analysis of various samples of running water.