Plasma

for Wind Orchestra

Concert Opener • 2024
Grade 4 (advanced) • 05:00 • FC Music Publishing

Also available for  Fanfare Band.

Instrumentation : Picc, 2Fl, Ob(opt), EH(opt), Bsn(opt), 3Cl, ACl(opt), BCl, SopSax(opt), 2ASax, TSax, BarSax, 3Tpt, 4Hn (3&4opt), 3Tbn, Euph, Tba, String Bass(opt), 4Perc

In 2024, on the occasion of its 150th anniversary, the Wind Band of the city of Biberist (Switzerland/ conducted by maestro Miguel Etchegoncelay commissioned a work from me which was intended to be rhythmic and catchy. So I thought of a frenetic piece, inhabited by energy and a constant pulsation from the first to the last note. I thus let myself be inspired by the “plasma” state, the fourth state of matter (after the solid, liquid and gaseous states) which makes up, for example, lightning or the sun.

Like a plasma ball, whose colors and shapes constantly vary, the musical material of the work is gradually transformed, both in the rhythmic signatures and harmonies and in the atmospheres: it is the same material, but always under different shape. Sometimes rhythmic and dancing, sometimes solemn and majestic, sometimes soft and lyrical, the work finds its unity in the omnipresence of an ostinato and similar rhythmic and melodic structures.

The work was be premiered at Biberena Hall Biberist on September 21st, 2024, in the presence of the composer.