Exobiology
Exobiology explores some applications of extended techniques for wind instruments. In the opening and closing sections of Exobiology, dance-like material balances the raucous, bombastic quality of the extended techniques. In the middle section, more delicate and subtle timbral possibilities are allowed to shine through the thinner orchestration. The melodic and rhythmic content of the outer sections of Exobiology is inspired by jazz and popular music. The melodies are chromatic, but not particularly dissonant. The rhythms are syncopated and evocative of contemporary dance music.
The title, Exobiology, refers to the emerging study of the theoretical possibility of life outside of Earth, also called astrobiology or xenobiology. I chose this title to draw a parallel between the idea of alien life and alien sounds. As the study of exobiology explores life outside of our normal experience, extended techniques for woodwinds are outside most listeners’ conventional musical experience. Exobiology is dance music with a twist, inspired by science fiction and popular music, but rooted in the Western concert music tradition.
The title, Exobiology, refers to the emerging study of the theoretical possibility of life outside of Earth, also called astrobiology or xenobiology. I chose this title to draw a parallel between the idea of alien life and alien sounds. As the study of exobiology explores life outside of our normal experience, extended techniques for woodwinds are outside most listeners’ conventional musical experience. Exobiology is dance music with a twist, inspired by science fiction and popular music, but rooted in the Western concert music tradition.