The focus of this piece is Blake’s characterization of the first female, Enitharmon, who represents “female domination and sexual restraints that limit the artistic imagination.” To create this piece, I analyzed and reinterpreted Blake’s poem, thinking about musical analogues to that interpretation. I conceived of a foundational vocal melody that could never really develop. In this conception, live instrumental lines begin to sprout from above and below the foundation, but are always forced to loop back due to musical constraints. Electronic snippets of a romantic underlying melody and poetic text emerge periodically from the textures, while a prolonged electronic whisper eventually envelops all other musical elements. The pitch and rhythmic materials are derived from “restrictive” procedures inspired by serialism. All of these ideas relate to my conception of the poem as a commentary on the sexual oppression and suppression of women.
Kyle Hutchins, tenor saxophone
James DeVoll, flute
(2016)
text from William Blake’s Europe: A Prophecy
Katherine Kennedy Balfour, Soprano
8:00
Version I: for flute with bass clarinet and fixed media
premiered by Without Fear of Wind or Vertigo
Version II: for flute with tenor saxophone and fixed media (2017)
premiered by the Strains New Music Ensemble
Version III: for flute with bassoon and fixed media (2018)
2018 UnTwelve Call for Works Selection