|
Sextet (1999) Duration: 8'15" Written in residence at the Aspen Music Festival and School. Premiere: Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, Aspen Music Festival and School, Center for Composition Studies Advanced Master Class Concert, Harris Concert Hall, Aspen CO, July 16, 1999. Publisher: Robert Paterson Music (ASCAP)
Although this sextet is not intended to openly convey a specific program, the work itself is inspired by television shows that expose people in the act of committing crimes. The form and materials are developed from imaginary scenes depicting a day in the life of a criminal: running scared (from the police), traveling on the interstate, having nightmares while sleeping (probably in a rundown motel in the middle of nowhere off old Route 66), looming shadows and hysterical visions, breaking out in cold sweat when someone supposedly comes looking and traveling again at 1:00 a.m. As you would expect, the unfortunate criminal is finally caught in the end.
– Robert Paterson
Review of the New York City, Merkin Hall premiere by the Da Capo Chamber Players: “The concert opened with Robert Paterson’s entertaining Sextet, inspired by “television shows that expose people in the act of committing crimes,” perhaps referring to Cops, a long-running and popular show in the United States. With periodic and startling whistle blasts, the format covers a criminal’s day of running from the police, traveling by car, breaking out in a cold sweat in a motel and finally getting caught, after a colorful rumba chase scene.”
– Bruce Hodges MusicWeb International
– Christopher Rouse, Composer, Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Music And The 2002 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Composition |
Site last updated:
Webmaster: webmaster@robpaterson.com