This piece for three percussionists was inspired by the poem “Harlem” by Langston Hughes. 

This piece is not meant to be a play-by-play representation of the ideas in the poem; rather, it is a semblance of the impression I take away from reading it so often. I tried to capture this musically by creating increasingly violent “interruptions” to an otherwise melancholy sound world, until the interruptions become the reality.

...Or Does It Explode?

Reading/Recording session of my new orchestra piece, 'Before I Wake'. Recorded by the University of Delaware Orchestra, 10/15/2012. The piece was inspired by my experiences in a state of sleep paralysis, during which I hallucinate cacophonous sound.

Before I Wake (Reading Session)

2008-2009. Justin Cowart, Cello; Caroline Miller, Piano.

Sonata for Cello and Piano, Movement 1

Sonata for Cello and Piano, Movement 2

Sonata for Cello and Piano, Movement 3

Performed 3/17/2013 by the University of Delaware Symphony Orchestra; James Allen Anderson, Director. 

Before I Wake is inspired by my experiences with sleep paralysis, which is a dreamlike state during which one feels awake yet completely unable to move or speak. Often, hallucinations occur; in my case, I hallucinate cacophonous sound, which I emulate in this piece.

I also intend to capture the folklore many cultures have developed to explain these often terrifying experiences. While stories vary, many describe the experience as a heavy yet invisible presence, a ghost or agent of the devil, which presses down on victims and renders them paralyzed. I have experienced this haunted, heavy feeling, and I have attempted to express musically the particularly frightening sensation of trying to scream but being choked or silenced by some hallucinated presence. This strange coupling of outer cacophony with inner silencing is the fundamental basis from which the style and form of this piece arose.

laurenwellsmusic