Jamie Kowalski — Works for Orchestra

Breaking of the Ice Shelf (2021)

Instr: 2/2/2/2; 4/3/3/1; perc.; celesta, strings
Duration: 4:45

Description

This work uses a construction of mine I call non-octave-repeating scales. This particular scale's pattern repeats at the perfect fourth, instead of the octave:

This idea was first explored in the middle movement of Vesuvius, and is more fully realized here. One thing that makes the scale interesting to me is that register is dictated by harmony, and harmony is dictated by register. A chain of three parallel voices will change chord quality in surprising ways. Balancing chords in the orchestra is often a challenge, as not every not every note is available for doubling or for a typically desired distribution.

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Breaking of the Ice Shelf

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Reduced score presentation

East and West Windows (2019)

Instr: 2/2/2/2; 4/2/3/1; perc.; strings
Duration: 4:30

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East and West Windows

Bagatelles (2015)

Instr: 2/2/2/2; 4/2/3/1; perc.; strings
Duration: 24:00

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Museum of False Memories (2013)

Instr: 2/2/2/2; 4/2/3/1; perc.; strings
Duration: 20:00

Description

Commissioned by Dance Box Theater for performance in 2013. The show, which also included The Cornell Boxes, played to a sold-out audience from October 3-6, 2013 at Joe's Movement Emporium in Mt. Rainier, MD. For a complete description of the performance, please visit the Museum Of False Memories page on their website.

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Live dance performance by Dancebox Theater

First We Make Room reduced score presentation

Particle Shock reduced score presentation

Particle Shock MidiSpark Animation

Oneironauts (2010)

Instr: 3/3/3/3; 4/3/3/1; perc.; piano; harp; strings
Duration: 7:30

Description

"Oneironaut" means "explorer of dreams." It is used primarily to describe those who practice the art of Lucid Dreaming. A lucid dream is one in which the dreamer is fully aware and conscious during sleep, and able to directly influence the shape and direction of the dream. This work was intended to evoke the feeling of such a journey -- the sudden and often fleeting moments of clarity, and the ever-shifting visuals and story components.

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Oneironauts

The Cornell Boxes (2008)

Instr: 2/2/2/2; 4;3;3;1; perc.; strings
Duration: 21:00

Description

This orchestral suite was written as an homage to artist and sculptor Joseph Cornell, (1903-1972), and was inspired by an exhibit of his assemblages at the National Gallery of Art in 2007.

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Live dance performance by Dancebox Theater:

Hotel Eden MidiSpark Animation

Equilibrium (2007, Revised 2009)

Instr: 3/3/3/3; 4;3;3;1; perc.; piano; strings
Duration: 10:00

Description

Though at first glance, Equilibrium may appear to be a piano concerto, It may be better described as a concerto for orchestra with piano. The line between solo and accompaniment is pushed, blurred, and often simply doesn't exist. The writing is highly chromatic, yet almost always implies common, though shifting, tonal centers.

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Equilibrium

Summer Music (2007)

Instr: 2/2/2/2; 4/3/3/1; timp; perc; strings
Duration: 6:00

Description

I wrote Summer Music as a dedication to DC Youth Orchestra Program founder Maestro Lyn McLain to honor his service to the arts and to the community. Many years ago while I was in Program, McLain was a personal inspiration to me, helping me to grow both as a musician and a composer. The title refers to my fond memories of the summer concerts of which I took part.

Premiere

2007, John McLaughlin Williams, DC Youth Orchestra & Alumni, Kennedy Center, Washington DC

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Summer Music

Five Unlikely Visions (2006, Revised 2007)

Instr: 2/2/2/2; 4;3;3;1; harp; perc.; strings

Description

These five short works attempt to capture impressions of hypnagogic images that came to me during long bouts of insomnia. The suite (minus the third movement) was a finalist in the 2006 Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Composition Competition, and was performed twice by that orchestra.