If you'd like to arrange a hire of the score & parts of this product, please use the form here.

During the compositional phase, I happened upon a book called The War On Music, by John Mauceri. In it, he describes the military history of the term avant-garde, the institutionalisation of what was considered avant-garde music, and its use by the United States in the Cold War with the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union preferred tonal music – the language of the old masters. Whereasthe institutionalised form of the avant-garde, for better or worse, continues in those of us privileged enough to have studied in conservatories.

THE HORROR OF THE AVANT-GARDE(S) foregrounds and activates contradictions and loops, and the illusionary aspects of
deconstruction and subversion in techno-feudal times. It is an acute response to the horror of imminent environmental collapse.

The horror of classed experiences.

The horror of finite time.

The horror of late-stage capitalism that swallows up everything in its path — the ouroboros.

The horror of life in the arts as someone without a financial safety net.

And so on.

It is an attempt to find peace amongst the horrors.

Instrumentation: 

Flute (doubles Piccolo, Alto), Oboe (doubles Cor Anglais), Clarinet (doubles Eb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet), Double Bell Trumpet in Bb, Double Bell Bass Trombone
Percussion I (soloist): Glockenspiel, Triangle, China cymbal, Suspended cymbal, Cowbell (large)
Wood Block, 2 x Taiko Drums (small), Snare Drum, Floor Tom, Frame Drum
Percussion II: Triangle, Vibraphone, Shaker, 3 (min.) Metal Bars, 3 (min.) Ceramic Bowls
Vietnamese Gongs, Wind Gong (small), Concert Bass Drum (small)
Harp, Piano, Contrabass Guitar (doubles Harmonium), Violin, Viola, Cello

Downloadable sample pages found at the link here. Listen here.