Arrow
for Dave Eggar and Paul Vaillancourt

In composing Arrow (2022), I was inspired by singularly-directed human life: stretching from the misguided, self-importance of mansplaining youth to the struggle to remain relevant in later years. The piece opens with a stark, simple, and free texture followed by a section with a clear melodic layer. This melody seems to establish theme through repetition and prominence, implying that it will remain important to the piece, but… it doesn’t. As the piece progresses, the pulse becomes more apparent, building intensity. Against this frame, the singing cello breaks off – first with a syncopation against the pulse and, later, with dramatically drawn out and slowing lines that don’t quite fit the harmony of the marimba. Like life, Arrow ends without much warning

8. Arrow

Premiere by the Schwob Tuba-Euphonium Quartet 

Euphonium-
Destin Hayes
Evan O’Dell

Tuba-
Kira Babbs
Roman Rodriguez Zapata

Conducted by Yuji Jones

The word perseverate describes the fixation upon repetition of a thought or action past the initial stimulus that caused it. This behavior is quite common in individuals with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. The piece "Perseverate" represents this concept musically utilizing post-serial techniques to follow the same gesture as it takes a variety of shapes and positions. As the piece progresses the idea grows in both intensity and instability until it can no longer support itself, at which point it fades into nothingness.

Perseverate

Hypersphereism

"Song of the Jasmine Fairy" - Eleanor Haward - for Violin, Cello, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, and Trumpet

Song Of The Jasmine Fairy (2023) - Eleanor Haward - Rehearsal Recording

composed using the Buchla 100, Serge modular system, and VCV Rack. 


note:
"...know you would rather be in control. Letting go makes you weak, bo—" 



"god-modes" (2024)

Nonmeagre

Geese

performed by the Schwob Philharmonic
Paul Hostetter, Conductor

Fermi's Macrocosm

"tap into/in too" commissioned by Trío Líneas in 2023 

performance of the first version of the work by Broken Frames Syndicate 2024

Katrin Szamatulski, flute
Nathan Watts, cello 
Talvi Hunt, piano

"tap into/in too" for flute, cello, and piano (Version I)

Jelani N. Surpris is a composer from Atlanta, Georgia (USA).

INSTAGRAM: @jelani.composer 
https://www.instagram.com/jelani.composer/

SCORES:
https://issuu.com/jelanisurpris

"tap into/in too" for flute, cello, and piano (Version I)

Jelani Surpris

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