An Elemental Music (2022) for orchestra

Commissioned by the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus
Performed by the La Jolla Symphony, cond. Michael Gerdes, March 2023

I. Crisp, bright
II. The Cold Song. Desolate, icy
III. Dark, mysterious — As in the first movement — Presto

In the three movements of "An Elemental Music," I seek to explore basic musical materials—things that are primary, fundamental, or “elemental”—in fresh and unanticipated ways. I wanted to delve into some of the core components of my musical craft, and I hoped to infuse them with a new vitality.

In the first movement, I start from a chord (the dominant seventh) ubiquitous in many musical genres, from nineteenth- century symphonies to the twelve-bar blues. But rather than using the chord as a means to an end, I view it as an object of musical exploration in its own right, treating it like a hub where many different harmonic paths converge. The music explores these paths in turn, winding through the orchestra in lively and colorful fashion.

The second movement is by far the longest of the three, comprising over half the total playing time of the work. The movement is a very free reimagining of the aria “What Power Art Thou” from Henry Purcell’s "King Arthur," also known as the “Cold Song.” In Purcell’s aria, the spirit of winter (the “Cold Genius”) is summoned to life: here, then, I use the word “elemental” not only as an adjective, but also as a noun, referring to the primal forces of nature that the Cold Genius embodies. In my version, I freely transform the shivering staccato motif and aspects of the harmonic progression from Purcell’s original, gradually building to an intense, chilling depiction of the Cold Genius. Fittingly, I finished this piece on a day of subzero temperatures in central Illinois.

The brief third movement revisits materials from the first, but in a distorted, out-of-order fashion—perhaps as if being recalled from a distant memory. The music eventually transforms itself into a jig that gives way to a grotesque, march-like climax.

An Elemental Music

Epitaph

In the Spring of 2022 I found myself enthralled in a popular video game called Elden Ring. It offered a frequent outlet from the impending stresses that grad school brings (thesis, recitals, oral exams, etc.). I had not considered myself much of a ‘gamer’ at that point, but something about this game captivated me. Each movement is inspired by particular moments and imagery in the game. This piece is not an attempt to ‘rescore’ or ‘replicate’ the music. Alternatively, this piece serves as my artistic response to the beautiful experience this game brought to me. Thank you to Dr. Talley and the Ohio University Wind Symphony for giving me the opportunity to write and premiere this work. It has been an incredible experience and one that I will cherish more than the game itself.

An Elden Suite (2024) – for concert band

World premiere at JWECC 2009 in Okazaki City, Japan. Shintaro Fukumoto, conductor.

Program note and PDF score: http://stevenbryant.com/axismundi.php

Axis Mundi

Midi playback for the orchestrated draft of my concerto for Bari Sax and Wind Ensemble, IANOS. No, I'm not messing around with it too much to fix the compression.

IANOS

performed by the Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra
Zhongheng Zhang, conductor

Korat (Orchestra)

Crystal Coyote for clarinet choir. Commissioned by and dedicated to Dr. Corey Mackey and the Texas Christian University Clarinet Ensemble. Inspired by one of the greatest racing video games of all time: F-Zero GX for the Nintendo Gamecube. To learn more and peruse a score, check it out here: https://harrisonjcollins.squarespace.com/crystal-coyote

Enjoy the music!

Crystal Coyote (MIDI)

Sevens

Earth and Green performed by the Aspen Concert Orchestra - Larry Rachleff, conductor

Earth and Green for Orchestra

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CONSORTIUM PREMIERE: May 8, 2019, Grand Ledge High School Wind Symphony (John Szczerowski, conductor) | Grand Ledge, Michigan

Commissioned by a consortium of ensembles led by Caleb Hammer as part of a consortium for three new works for concert band, featuring music by Caleb Hammer, Josh Trentadue, and Harrison J. Collins

THE FIRST PIECE OF "THE MICHIGAN TRIPTYCH"

The Great River Rapid Chase (2018/rev. 2023) - Grand Ledge High School Wind Symphony

Certainly the largest work for band I've composed to date, taking influence from David Maslanka's passing in 2017, in addition to other events that were taking place in my own personal life during the years for 2017-2019.

Sinfonia Kathartica

Harrison J. Collins
J Stands for Joe Music
Your friendly neighborhood composer!

Dedicated to writing music that challenges and connects to performers and listeners alike.

Find more info on my works and purchase them at harrisonjcollins.squarespace.com - or contact me at harrisonjcollinscomposer@gmail.com!