The Monk and the Fish

"The Monk and the fish" is inspired by a short cartoon film, in which a little monk is hunting a little fish. The monk will not be able to get the fish and finally, after long fight they fly together to heaven.
I tried to show all of these aspects in the music. My special interest was, to use contemporary techniques in a different and unique way, where every sound that the instruments can make, plays an important role.
Mostly I tried to get percussion sounds from the instruments and make a drumset out of it (without using the drums or percusssion instruments) - only with the sounds that the musicians can make out of the instruments. The piece is supposed to be a fun one for the player and the audience.
The very difficult rhythmic structere and many different playing techniques make it also a kind of a show piece. The important role of percussive sounds, which I used in different systems, should make it easier to read the music.

Duration

8'00

Instruments

Violin, viola, violoncello, piano

Tonmeister

Gema

8078202

Publisher: 8078202

Premiere

2004-09-28 in Setnor Auditorium, Crouse College, Syracuse University, Syracuse
American Nights / Society of new music

Musicians: Augustus Arnone (fortepiano), Vladimir Pritsker (violine), Kit Dodd (viola), Georg Macero (violoncello)

Awards

- 2006 Winner of the “Masterworks Prize” with The Monk and the Fish
- 2004 Dr. J. Howland Auchinloss Prize, Honorable Mention for The Monk and the Fish, Society for New Music,

Links

http://www.ermmedia.org

Files