8 players: fl, cl, pno, perc, 2 vln, 2 vc - Natural History

Ensemble: flute, clarinet in Bb, piano, vibraphone, 2 violins, 2 cellos

Duration: 22 minutes

Commissioned by: Troy Schumacher & BalletCollective for The Knights

Premiered: Bohemian National Hall, New York City, New York

Note:

Natural History was commissioned as the score to a new ballet by Troy Schumacher for his company BalletCollective. Due to the pandemic, the music was recorded before it was ever performed live, and the recording was premiered via FM radio to audience members in their cars, as they watched the live dancers on an outdoor stage, like a drive-in movie.

Both movements are inspired by original poems by Carey McHugh that were created in collaboration for the piece. The first movement is for all eight instrumentalists, full of life and vigor. The second movement is just for the strings, ghostly and jagged-- the memory of a previous life long gone.