Materials
Duration: 8 minutes
About
Propagations is divided into three short movements: "Algorithmics," in which a process gradually transforms three conjunct lines into a single melodic voice; "Cycles," which slowly repeats and alters a small number of gestures, eventually reaching a screaming climax; and "Alternations," which begins with a free quasi-cadenza and then recalls earlier thematic material in the context of a new ostinato and melody.
The piece makes use of several extended techniques for clarinet, including the extreme high and low registers of the instrument, bends, sung multiphonics, slap-tonguing, and harmonics.
Propagations was written for bass clarinetist Evan Ziporyn.
Performance History
- Yale College Group for New Music; Evan Ziporyn, bass clarinet, December 1997
- Society of Composers, Inc. National Student Conference, Austin, Texas; Hermon Baggett, bass clarinet, February 1999
- Society of Composers, Inc., SE Regional Conference, Miami, Florida; James Pisano, bass clarinet, November 1999