Скачать или смотреть Craig Michael Davis | Clockwork | 2021

Clockwork was composed by Craig Michael Davis as a commission by the Elicio Winds, made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The work was commissioned as part of a series of works inspired by the State of Alabama.


The Elicio Winds:
Flute: Virginia Broffitt Kunzer
Oboe: Kathleen Carter Bell
Bassoon: Conor Bell


Conception of Clockwork:

First off, I want to thank the Elicio Winds- it’s been such a joy working with all three of you!

Writing for flute, oboe and bassoon was truly a challenge – especially since there is nowhere to hide with such a small ensemble. When one player drops out to breath, a hole is created for a brief moment.

These 5 pieces I wrote entitled, Clockwork, were inspired (in part) by Samford Hall here at Auburn University. Looking at the front of the Hall, we see 5 peaks of various heights, which corollate one peak to each musical piece. The fourth peak, which is the tallest) even has a clock at the very top. Taking architectural structures and relating them to music is something I love to do. In fact, I just finished a piece for contemporary dance last year entitled, “Ascension” which took the architecture of the Eshkenazi museum here at Indiana University – created by the famous architect IM Pei who also designed the Louvre in Paris. Use similar triangles for the museum at IU, I based the Ascension composition around the idea of the number 3 (for the 3 corners of the triangle).

Clockwork was also inspired by various landscapes around Auburn University and the state of Alabama. As part of a decade long project, Craig is working on writing one work that encapsulates the characteristics of each of the 50 United States. Partnering with the film department at AU, this film about Alabama was created by a crew of student film makers, who took to the street to capture the raw beauty found within the state of Alabama.

I hope you enjoy the premiere performance of my newest work in the United States Series: Clockwork!