Beauty is brief and violent (2024)

for sinfonietta: flute +( piccolo), oboe, Bb clarinet + (bass clarinet), bassoon, horn in f, Bb trumpet, trombone, percussion(1), piano, violin, viola, cello, bass

Premiere:

Premiered on August 31st, 2024 at the Lucerne Festival. Performed by IEMA Frankfurt.

German premiere on December 3rd, 2024 at Bockenheim Depot in Frankfurt, DE. Performed by Ensemble Modern

Duration:

10 minutes

Program Note:

When I began conceiving this work in February 2024, the weight of current events was heavy on my mind. I was reflecting on how others and I reckon with the tragic and violent occurrences in our world. This contemplation brought back memories of the racial unrest and upheaval of June 2020.

One of the most striking parallels for me was the use of social media in both situations: the circulation of extremely graphic videos, the policing of others' use of social media, and the vitriolic discourse in these spaces. This led me to explore the concepts of "vicarious trauma" and "collective trauma," particularly how these traumas are exacerbated by social media, resulting in heightened anxiety, stress, and depression.

I began to question: Do we become numb to these things? How do these events affect us long-term? Is social media a productive political space? During my research, I came across Snehal Vadher’s poem "Beauty is brief and violent," which resonated deeply with both the state of our world and my personal experiences. In my work, I examine the meaning of impact. I explore natural resonances and decays, as well as the illusions of them. 

The final section was inspired by a conversation with my mom while brainstorming for this piece. I described a work that seemed heavy and pessimistic, and she asked, "How do we shift the obsession with pessimistic narratives when thinking about our future?” I then revisited Vadher’s poem and read the lines:

"my feet which are light and heavy from walking

that path full and swift

the river flows eroding

the banks with its sinuous

desire gentle and unkind

the days the years boulders

tossed by a giant down the hill

we must climb to the sudden

sinuous blue"

I interpreted these words as a call to make room for optimism in my piece. The final segment features musical lines ascend, gaining momentum and vastness, symbolizing hope and resilience.