PROGRAM NOTES

Between Sacred Silence and Sleep (Capriccio for Clarinet Alone) was composed for and commissioned by Canadian clarinetist, Amanda Forest. While looking for inspiration to write for Amanda, I had asked her about her musical influences and inspirations. She immediately responded with the music of the alternative metal band, ‘System of A Down’.

The opening and returning material for the composition is borrowed from one of SOAD’s best known tunes, Toxicity, with the open-fifth motive lifted from the guitar riff heard in the first few seconds. The rest of the work continues to be a ‘disordering’ of these intervals and the rhythms that are established, often times abandoning established motives for new, organic ideas that grew from the previous ideas. Curiously, I discovered that SOAD band member Daron Malakian stated that this tune is about ADD, known today as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Throughout the piece there are moments of unrest with relentless rhythms, sudden outbursts, and abrupt changes in character and mood - all symptoms of ADHD.

As I continued down the rabbit hole that was thinking about the toxicity of mental illness, I was further inspired by the lyrics mentioned above. How do you own disorder? By coming to terms with our own respective mental illnesses in dealing with our issues with trained professionals, we can hopefully create a healthier state of mind for ourselves, as well as support each other through the process. I whole-heartedly believe that this introspection is at least one valuable thing to do with the time we are given “between the sacred silence and sleep”.

Between Sacred Silence and Sleep was premiered by Amanda Forest in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on April 13, 2019.

c. 5 minutes