Being and Becoming

Chick: Our way of organizing the data which rushes by in gestalt style -that is, in increasingly abstract forms –speeds up experience into a dangerously topsy-turvy fast forward comedy. Our need for rapid disposal eliminates the details that bewitch, hold or delay children. Art is one rescue from this chaotic acceleration. Meter in poetry, tempo in music, form and color in painting. But we do feel that we are speeding earthward, crashing into our graves.

Socrates.  And a thing is not seen because it is visible, but conversely, visible because it is seen; nor is a thing led because it is in the state of being led, or carried because it is in the state of being carried, but the converse of this... It does not become because it is becoming, but it is in a state of becoming because it becomes.

Cooper: Wait a minute! Wait a minute! [sips, sighs blissfully] This is-- excuse me--a DAMN fine cup of coffee.

Below is a list of all the versions of Being and Becoming. I have posted some scores and recordings. More coming soon.

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Being and Becoming, for toy piano and electronics (2010)

Coming soon! I am writing this for Xenia Pestova.

Etude: Being and Becoming, for improvising ensemble (2010) Score (PDF)

Doug Perkins commissioned for the Contemporary Music Ensemble at Dartmouth which he directs.

Etude: Being and Becoming, for xylophone (2010) Score (PDF)

Sam Z. Solomon commissioned this work to be published in a set of etudes for the Mass. Percussive Arts Society.

Etude: Being and Becoming, for snare drum (2008) Score (PDF) Recording (MP3)

Sam Z. Solomon commissioned this work to be published in a set of etudes for the Mass. Percussive Arts Society. it was premiered by Aaron Trant at Boston Conservatory for the "Day of Percussion".

Being and Becoming, for saxophone and percussion (2005) Recording (MP3)

Tim Feeney and Brian Sacawa commissioned this for their duo Non Zero.

Being and Becoming, for fixed electronic media and 8 speakers (2004)

Wrote this for June In Buffalo.

Being and Becoming, for guitar, sine wave, MAX/MSP and 1 speaker (2003) Score (PDF) Recording (MP3)

Aaron Larget-Caplan has performed and recorded this one.

Being and Becoming, for bass clarinet (2003) Score (PDF) Recording (MP3)

Laura Harrison commissioned me to write this for no particular reason or occasion.

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