Cell Zero (2018)
Written for two cellos
Commissioned by the Detroit Composers Project
Premiered in December 2018 in Detroit, MI and Ann Arbor, MI (as part of the Third Place Concert Series)
For me, writing a sixty minute progressive-metal concept album can seem less daunting than writing a four minute piece for a melodic instrument like the cello. Melodies do not always come easily to me, and in writing this piece I found myself imprisoned by a small motivic “cell” of notes (E - F# - G) as my inspiration. With the aid of dazzling physicality and extended string techniques, the two cello players gradually rework and transform this material into a melody that tries to transcend its creative limitations.