@smeltarr6: Thanks! I really appreciate it, and thank you for listening!

Program Note from the Composer: "Fugue for Martians is a five-movement piece of chamber music written for the Martians as a meditation on the contribution of Black creators of music in the twentieth century and their influence on my compositional language. This video performance is its public premiere, and is intended to be followed up, when conditions are safe for musicians and audiences, with a public performance on the Sound and Fury Concert Series (Dr. Christian Dubeau and Dr. Christine Lee, directors). 

The piece is meant as a loving tribute to and appreciation of my musical forebears, most especially William Grant Still, McKinley Morganfield (Muddy Waters), Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and Jimi Hendrix. Though it may not be apparent on the surface, their influence shapes every bar of music I write, for which I am grateful, and of which I am proud." 

The Martians chamber group is comprised of the following members: Spencer Keeling-Klass, oboe (in this performance, the oboe is played by Soli Jones); Reyneelynn Cameros, B-Flat clarinet; Christian Dubeau, piano; Christine Lee, synthesizer; Patrick Gibson, electric guitar and conductor; Gracie Sprout, harp; April Kim, violin I; Kaija Rose Hansen, violin II; Michael Aburas, double bass I; Jimmy Beall, double bass II. I am truly grateful for all of their hard work and artistry on this project! They are an amazing group of players and artists and it is my honor to work with them. 

For more information on Patrick Gibson's compositional output, please visit patrickgibsoncomposer.com. 

For more information on Sound and Fury Presents, please visit soundandfuryconcerts.com.

Patrick Gibson: Fugue for Martians, I. Prelude: 1619
©2022 Patrick Gibson

Fugue For Martians, I. Prelude: 1619

Midway through November, as a responsible collegiate chamber choir, we should have been rehearsing Holiday Music today, but it just didn't feel right.  After singing for a vigil of CSULB student Nohemi Gonzales (who was killed in the Paris attacks of November 2015) I decided to take an afternoon and simply learn a new piece...one that might counteract some of the darkness I felt after watching the memorial and knowing how hard it would be for Nohemi's family to go on.  This piece was in my head as I fell asleep last night; I knew we had to record it today.    I hope it brings you comfort.   

A Prayer
by Alfred Noyes
Angels, where you soar
     Up to God’s own light,
Take my own lost bird
     On your hearts tonight;
And as grief once more
     Mounts to heaven and sings,
Let my love be heard
     Whispering in your wings. 

Let My Love Be Heard by Jake Runestad

I composed my Sonata for Viola and Piano in 2010; it is dedicated to the memory of William "Chip" Mahon. This recording is the premiere performance by Nokuthula Ngwenyama, viola, and Eckart Sellheim, piano. This premiere was given under the auspices of the Da Camera Society of Los Angeles. The audio engineer and editor was Benjamin Maas, Fifth Circle Audio. The work is presently unpublished.

Fugue For Martians, I. Prelude: 1619

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