All Burnt Up (2020)

for flute/piccolo, clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, cello

Burnout is defined as a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that is caused by an extensive period of constant stress. In a time where people are expected to persevere through any hardship and retain the same level of productivity as before, it is only inevitable that feelings of burnout will occur. After experiencing my own, I decided to take these feelings and translate them into a musical setting. The piece musically emulates the development of burnout. It begins with a very large range of pitch in a sound mass, with lines coming in and out with energy. Following this section, fragments of rhythmic motives begin to develop and layer atop one another, building into a fuller texture. These small fragments come together and create a large and full statement.  With constant repetition, the music takes a turn and begins to separate and venture into new territories, clashing rhythmically and harmonically, essentially burning itself out. The statement falls apart, contracting back to a small range of notes, with interruptions of chaos. Each instrument is pushed near its limits, succumbing to the feeling of being All Burnt Up.

All Burnt Up was premiered by Balance Campaign on April 16, 2021 as part of Kathryn’s senior composition recital.

Performances:

• April 16, 2021 - Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall at University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Catonsville, MD (premiere)

  • Performers: Balance Campaign - Meghan Shanley Alger, flute; Emily Robinson, clarinet; Emory Hensley, percussion; Elizabeth Hill, piano; Sandy Choi, violin; Erin Snedecor, cello