JOEL KIRK: COMPOSITION PORTFOLIO (select works)
percussion trio (cowbells, woodblocks, tom-toms, brake drums
Upon starting this piece, I decided to limit myself to unpitched, small percussion in terms of instrumentation. I wanted to see what I could do with the most restricted array of resources possible in a piece, ultimately manifesting in a cowbell, woodblock, tom-tom and brake drum for each player. In doing so, I found that my compositional interest shifted from the exploration of the instruments to the interaction of the performers themselves in various circumstances; the piece contains areas that are click-track guided, polytempic, unison, and aleatoric.
I extend my thanks to lineuponline percussion for their workshopping time, and Talujon Percussion for their rehearsal time, in preparing the finished version of this piece. My thanks go once again to Talujon Percussion, and Percussion Duo Moitié, for their excellent performances in 2023.
score follower video
Talujon Percussion @ June in Buffalo, Lippes Concert Hall, USA (06/10/2023)
live performance video
Percussion Duo Moitié @ Seoul Arts Center IBK Chamber Hall, KOR (06/07/2023)
piccolo/flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, cello, piano
then i find myself turning my back on the planets
depending on the sounds of intimate speech or to say
farewell following the light
shoals of sardines of dolphins of sharks
struggling with dawn drowning i find myself
retracing the flow of time
gaze blurred
by the breakneck speed of the universe
- Nicole Brossard; in Ardour
This piece is deeply inspired by the poetry of queer French-Canadian poet, Nicole Brossard. As a fellow LGBTQIA+ identifying artist, I was deeply moved by the sensuality and ephemerality of her poetry. This piece draws on the imagery of this poem to create an ethereal, shimmering sound-world throughout its duration.
I extend my thanks to the musicians of Barcelona Modern for their close collaboration on the finished version of this piece. My thanks go also to Tempus Konnex for taking on the piece for their 2022 ICE Week festival.
score follower video
Barcelona Modern Ensemble @ Barcelona Modern Festival, Institut Français, Barcelona, ESP (27/05/2022)
live performance video
Tempus Konnex @ ICE Week, Alte Handelsbörse, Leipzig, GER (10/07/2022)
flute(s), clarinet(s), saxophone, violin, viola, cello, trombone
calendar of murmurs
vague caresses about the planet and its water
we could have confused words
but there were doors open
confetti in the midst of darkness
gentle ways
to swoon in a corner with she who
put her tongue in my mouth
- Nicole Brossard (from Smooth Horizon of the Verb Love, 2010)
This piece continues my interest in the poetry of queer French-Canadian poet, Nicole Brossard. I worked closely with the musicians of the Tacet(i) Ensemble on the invention of new sounds for this piece. I thank them for their close collaboration and wonderful performance as part of the 2023 IntAct Festival.