Dissonant Echoes

Little Goblin Dance

A Childs Dream Of A Star

Featured at the 2022 International Trumpet Guild National Conference "New Works Recital" performed by Dr. TJ Perry

In 1965, J. Robert Oppenheimer gave a televised interview which would go on to live in infamy. Reflecting on seeing the first atomic bomb successfully detonate, he said:

“We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried. Most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita; Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and, to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and says, 'Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.' I suppose we all thought that, one way or another”

Now I Am Become Death explores the emotions felt by Oppenheimer and the world created in the wake of the atomic bomb. The composition doesn’t seek to pass judgement on atomic weapons, rather to explore what a human would feel knowing they have forever shifted the paradigm of humanity forever.

There are multiple motifs present throughout Now I Am Become Death. The first is the constant ticking of a clock. This clock represents the doomsday clock which was started in 1947 in response to the use of nuclear weapons. The ticking is ever present and at times is amplified to feel pressing on the listener. In addition to this is the use of sampled of audio from various sources. The 1965 Oppenheimer interview is weaved throughout the entire composition. This interview is chopped up rhythmically at times, appearing only in small bursts; at others it is distorted to take on a malevolent feel; and at the apex of the composition, the interview is allowed to play in its entirety without interruption. Beyond Oppenheimer, the composition features sampled audio from former presidents Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, and Donald J. Trumpet, along with a few other sources such as a nuclear bomb drill PSA.

Supplementing the above audio are dozens of tracks including sampled choirs, custom synthesizers, sirens, static, and more. The accompanying piano part will sound highly reminiscent of Henry Cowell and his piano works. The piano switches back and forth between playing large cluster chords/slow moving melodies and sharp, jarring melodic fragments.

The trumpet provides the final and central element of the composition. At times the trumpet imitates a distant bugle call, a haunting parallel to Oppenheimer’s quote. This quickly morphs into a fierce, angular melody that gives way to sweeping melodic passages.

To add a feeling of unease. There is a subtle frequency of 18hz present throughout the piece, emitted by a clean sine wave. From a paper titled "Mechanical Resonant Frequency of the Human Eye in Vivo", this is claimed to the be roughly the frequency at which a human eyeball vibrates. Thus creating a subconscious pressure and sense of unease on the listener.

Now I Am Become Death

"Channel One Suite" by the Buddy Rich Big Band, recorded by the University of Kentucky Wildcat Marching Band, Arr. Jim Daughters.

Channel One Suite

Featuring "Also Sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss along with "Mars" and "Jupiter" by Gustav Holst, recorded by the University of Kentucky Wildcat Marching Band, Arr. Jim Daughters.

Space Medley

"Dance Spasmodic" is an original composition by Jim Daughters for Wind Ensemble.

Dance Spasmodic

The song cycle captures an essence of the dramatic art of storytelling. Told in five parts, the cycle attempts to depict an old many telling a story of two lovers. Each movement has both a title and incipit which helps advance the narrative. The cycle is to be played in the dark by either candle light or lantern light

Flowering Song - Love blossoms and inevitably fades

Butterflies In The Redwoods - Two begin a walk to leave as one

A Tale Begins - The old man begins his tale

Winner of the 2016 KMEA (Kentucky) College/University Composition Award.
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Wayfarers' Hymn is an original composition voiced for 6 trumpets by Michael Cotten. During the summer of 2015, the Syrian refugee crisis was all over the international news and the topic of much debate amongst the world. I had previously sketched out a hymn based off of Beethoven's Drei Equali (three pieces for trombone which were played at his funeral) about a year prior and whenever I saw the news, this sketch was immediately brought to mind. From the combination of these two sources came the inspiration and material for Wayfarers' Hymn. While I may not have been able to do much to help change the lives of the refugees fleeing, I at least was able to record my reaction to what I saw.
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This composition is dedicated to those fleeing from and searching for a new home.

Wayfarer's Hymn

Reach

www.16parksmusic.com - Michael Cotten

The composition explores Furiosa's Inner struggle of rising through the ranks to become the head Imperator, yet long to be free of her and the "Five Wives" enslavement. The theme pits the opening minor falling motif against the heroic, rising motif. The theme is constantly in turmoil representing the inner battle fought by Furiosa to make the decision to steal away the Five Wives.

#NowScoreThis Furiosa's Theme "The Struggle Within"

I may not be a first-rate composer, but I am a first-class second-rate composer

Michael Cotten

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