Michael J Fleming - Inner- Earth Ruminations (2024) featuring Third Coast Percussion

Details

Description

I am constantly fascinated with ephemeral images in nature. When I first learned about the Naica crystal caves of Mexico, music instantly filled my imagination. In this piece, Inner-Earth Ruminations: Into the Cave of Swords, I would like to sonically recreate the environment of and the experience of being in a cave of giant crystals. The cave in Naica, Mexico was discovered to have car- sized crystals that jut from the walls in every direction and is over 130 degrees fahrenheit. Research here has provided insight into how organisms can thrive and grow in extreme conditions. After studying the cave, researchers will fill the cave up with water like it was found to help continue the growth of the crystals for the next millenia. More pictures from National Geographic and nature photographers of the crystal caves are after the performance notes to help with inspiration.
My goal with this piece is to create a colorful and groovy work that features the groans, pops and clicks of the earth as giant crystals form over millions of years. Each player has roles that will constantly interact with each other, creating huge bright sonic crystals that jut into the air from all directions. I engage with and adapt cyclical rhythms from the tabla tradition of North India throughout the piece, which creates a dynamic and intriguing sense of rhythm and timbre. Grateful for my tabla teachers Justin DeHart, Doug Scheurell, and Ashwin Batish for showing me amazing ways to express myself. I am also very grateful for Third Coast Percussion for their outstanding musicianship and collaboration.

Composed for Third Coast Percussion Quartet and the April in Santa Cruz Festival of New Music, Winter, 2024.
Duration: Ca. 8 minutes