Zeitreise

Zeitreise (2026):

Instrumentation: Flute/Piccolo, Bass Clarinet in Bb, Piano, Violin, Cello, and Percussion (full percussion instrumentation below).

Duration: 12 minutes

Program Notes: "Zeitreise, the German word for "time travel", is a piece telling the story of the Earth's lifetime from its fiery beginnings to its inevitable end. The piece begins with a "big bang" of sorts, followed by a growing space. Eventually, the Hadeon Eon begins, with glissandos on the instruments meant to resemble the repeated meteors hitting the Earth, forming its crust. Following that is the Archean Eon, where simple rhythms in the violin solo slowly grow and develop into the main theme.Then we are met with the Paleozoic Era, which features many marine life forms as well as the first animals to walk on land. After that, the Mesozoic Era, known for its dinosaurs, is represented through the use of stomping, heavy drums, and low voices taking the lead. Finally, we arrive in the Cenozoic Era, which is the current era we live in.The piece begins this era with the ice age, followed by a waltz section inspired by Bach, and then goes from a Latin-inspired groove to completely atonal for just a brief period before concluding with a recapitulation of the main theme and then returning us to space after the world has ended, showing that the cycle will continue."

Percussion Instrumentation: Suspended Crash Cymbal, Bongos, High and Low Congas, Mounted Kick Drum, Small Gong (or large triangle), Crotales, and a Bucket of Water.