Utterations of Anxiety - for Bass Clarinet, String Quartet and Double Bass

As part of the Rude Health Festival last year at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

Programme Notes: "This piece is based on the intensity and madness of modern communication. Many people are increasingly feeling overwhelmed by the constant bombardment of social media platforms and mobile phone messaging in their daily lives. The need to project a glossy, perfect image of one's self and their life is a constant, draining and potentially harmful pressure in today's world that can cause much anxiety. While social media and online communication does have its benefits, for example, ease of communcation, increased political awareness and engagement, it is a presence that can feel overwhelming. Have you ever compared youreself to others online, or feel overwhelmed from text messages, or felt pressure to reply immediately to a message when you really dont have the time? All these pressures have an impact on one's self-esteem. People get stuck in their heads. They question their self worth, they crave validation and reassurance. It's like we're susceptible to voices and 'utterances' in our head that we find difficult to control as we descend into an overwhelming spiral of self doubt. This piece attempts to address these issues. The chaotic nature of the music will hopefully reflect this anxiety, allowing the audience to contemplate and question the role of modern communication in our lives."

Many thanks to the wonderful players who brought this piece to life:

Bass Clarinet - Alex Lyonn
Violin 1 - Congling Wu
Violin 2 - Miriam Pancheva
Viola - Andrew Liddell
Cello - Irina Korolevskaia
Double Bass - Sam Pugh

#composer #contemporaryclassical