Contemporary Classical & Electroacoustic

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo
©2013. All rights reserved.

"Apophis" for orchestra (2012 - 2013)

The ouroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or a dragon eating its own tail.  The name originates from within Greek language -- (oura) meaning “tail” and (boros) meaning “eating”; thus “he who eats the tail.”  This image is a poetic analog for a composer’s artistic life, much of which is occupied by poring over and dissecting musical source materials from interminable angles in order to achieve creative ends.
	This is the second in a series of works I’ve conceived which seek to revisit, repurpose, and repackage older sketches or pieces that remain fertile for ideas, development, and action in any number of formats and contexts.  The raw materials for OUROBOROS II, "Variations on a Lie" first appeared in a choral setting of "The Lie," a poem of social and political critique by the English statesman and courtier of Queen Elizabeth the First, Walter Raleigh (1552 - 1618).
        With its sly exposé of social classes, institutions, nature, love, and even time itself, it is a work of devastating polemic.  By instructing his readers to “give the lie,” Raleigh uses a colloquial expression to call for skepticism and denunciation of long-revered constructs of society.  He argues that these seemingly essential pillars are, in fact, hollow, and undeserving of the public’s faith.  In their stead, Raleigh advocates for the one entity that can truly remain untethered to worldly pursuits.  As the poet identifies it, it is the soul, “the body’s guest,” which imbues humanity with a sense of moral certitude, justice, and brotherhood. 
	At the end of the work, Raleigh ironically gives the lie to himself, sparing nothing and no one his prophetic ire.

"Go, soul, the body’s guest,
Upon a thankless errand;
And give the world the lie." - Walter Raleigh, adapted by the composer.

This is a MIDI realization.

2 Oboes
English Horn
2 Clarinets
Bass Clarinet
2 Alto Saxes
Tenor Sax
Baritone Sax
2 Bassoons
3 Horns
Tuba
Percussion (1 player)

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo.
©2021. All rights reserved.

OUROBOROS II "Variations on a Lie" for 16 winds and percussion (2021): Invocation & I. Cruel Scherzo

American Composers Orchestra led by Music Director George Manahan
Underwood New Music Readings, June 2014
DiMenna Center for Classical Music, New York, NY

Since 1991 ACO’s Underwood New Music Readings have provided invaluable experience for emerging composers while serving as a vital resource to the music field by identifying a new generation of American composers. To date, more than 130 composers have participated in the Readings, including such award-winning composers as Melinda Wagner, Pierre Jalbert, Augusta Read Thomas, Randall Woolf, Jennifer Higdon, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Sebastian Currier, Kate Soper, and ACO's own Artistic Director, Derek Bermel. Readings alumni have gone on to win every major composition award, including the Pulitzer, Grammy, Grawemeyer, American Academy of Arts & Letters, and Rome Prizes, and orchestras around the globe have commissioned ACO Readings alumni. For information visit www.americancomposers.org.

Kyle Peter Rotolo: Apophis (excerpt)

II.
The clouds hasten
To the rhythm
Of the moor-hen's cry.

Wai Ki Wun, clarinet
Joshelle Conley, violin
Christy Grace, cello
Andrew Sohn, piano

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo
©2017. All rights reserved.

"Exhale The Moon" for clarinet, violin, cello, & piano (2017): II. The clouds hasten...

Jake Richter, drumset
Ashley Dillard & Christopher J. Handley, voice actors

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo
©2016. All rights reserved.

"f!#@ in a crowded theatre" for drumset and live electronics (2016): Part III.

Stereo version.  Quadrophonic version also available.

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo
©2017. All rights reserved.

"No one sings like you anymore" for fixed media (2017)

"Interrelationship"

You are me and I am you.
It is obvious that we inter-are.
You cultivate the flower in yourself 
so that I will be beautiful.
I transform the refuse in myself 
so that you do not have to suffer.

I support you.
You support me.
I am here to bring you peace
You are here to bring me joy.

THICH NHAT HANH (used by permission)

Pepperdine University Composers Choir
Tyler Todd Kimmel, conductor

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo
©2008 - 2009. All rights reserved.

"Today's Day" Triptych for double SATB chorus, a cappella (2008 - 2009): II. Interrelationship

INTERLUDE, "Vista 2"
refraction and reflection
illumination
infrared radiating

ARCTIC OCEAN, "Dance 3"
ice floes unweave
uncertain density
remembering life

Poetry by Diane Tuft. Used by permission.

Julianna Eidle, alto flute
Indiana University New Music Ensemble
David Dzubay, conductor

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo
©2018 - 2019. All rights reserved.

"Conquering Sun" for 17 musicians (2018 - 2019): INTERLUDE, "Vista 2" & ARCTIC OCEAN, "Dance 3"

Clare Longendyke, piano

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo
©2014 - 2016. All rights reserved.

"Negatives" for piano (2014 - 2016): III. Choralations

VI.
How lovely,
Through the torn paper window,
The Milky Way.

Collin Lewis, clarinet
Joshelle Conley, violin
Christopher Cho, cello
Chun Ying, Wei, piano

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo
©2017. All rights reserved.

"Exhale the Moon" for clarinet, violin, cello, & piano (2017): VI. How lovely...

PRELUDE, "Vista 1"
splitting light
endless white
water messages

GLACIER, "Dance 1"
labyrinth
fallen sediment
final breath

Poetry by Diane Tuft. Used by permission.

Indiana University New Music Ensemble
David Dzubay, conductor

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo
©2018 - 2019. All rights reserved.

"Conquering Sun" for 17 musicians (2018 - 2019): PRELUDE, "Vista 1" & GLACIER, "Dance 1"

MELTWATER, "Dance 2"
transparent drift
crystal blue
going out to sea

Poetry by Diane Tuft. Used by permission.

Indiana University New Music Ensemble
David Dzubay, conductor

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo
©2018 - 2019. All rights reserved.

"Conquering Sun" for 17 musicians (2018 - 2019): MELTWATER, "Dance 2"

I.
Early dusk,
The mouth of the toad,
Exhales the moon.

Collin Lewis, clarinet
Joshelle Conley, violin
Christopher Cho, cello
Chun Ying, Wei, piano

Music by Kyle Peter Rotolo
©2017. All rights reserved.

Contemporary Classical & Electroacoustic

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