31 Ways of Looking at a Truffle (2019)

for solo flute

31 Ways of Looking at a Vending Machine (2022)

for flute, clarinet (Bb clarinet, Bb Bass clarinet, half clarinet), piano, percussion, violin, and cello

31 Ways of Looking at a Truffle is a solo flute piece comprised of a series of variations on a theme presented in reverse order. When confronting trauma, people often must reconstruct their memories to understand the originating events. Only after doing the necessary preparations can we begin to understand what the image looks like, let alone what is inside waiting for us as we continue to dig deeper over time.

31 Ways of Looking at a Vending Machine is the sibling piece to 31 Ways of Looking at a Truffle using the same source material orchestrated for a sextet. The music is intertwined with an abstracted morse code text setting of Minashita Kiriu 水無田気流’s “The Vending Machine at 4am” 「午前4寺の自動販売機」from Sonic Peace 「音速平和」

31 Ways of Looking at a Truffle was premiered by Sarah Steranka on February 23 2023 at Scholes Street Studio in NYC. 31 Ways of Looking at a Vending Machine was commissioned by the Thin Edge New Music Collective and was premiered on June 22, 2023 at 918 Bathurst Centre for the Culture, Arts, Media and Education.

score and parts can be purchased here

Listen to the flute version here