Mark Berger (b. 1977)
Kaleidoscope (2011)
WCMS composer-in-residence Mark Berger wrote Kaleidoscope on a commission from Middlesex Community College in 2011. Scored for viola, marimba, and piano, it explores the idea of sustainability and conservation. Below is an extract from Berger’s program note for the piece:
“Finding a way to tie a piece of abstract art to a concrete environmental concept is a challenge. My solution was to ‘recycle’ a piece of older music. I decided to work with the Sarabande from J. S. Bach’s 5th Suite for Solo Violoncello. I chose this piece specifically for its extremely simple texture (it is nothing more than a single melodic line) and its striking harmonic content. I had no interest whatsoever in making some sort of theme-and-variations on Bach’s Sarabande. Instead, I was interested in putting Bach’s music under the microscope to find new materials to explore. For this purpose, I adopted something of a spectral approach. One of the characteristic qualities of the cello is its rich timbre, which contains many harmonic overtones. To create the source material for my piece, I used Bach’s notes as fundamental tones, which I then expanded into full harmonic spectra (including some of the microtonal inflections which are found in the upper harmonic partials). These harmonic spectra are then orchestrated out over time for the three instruments to generate the source material for my piece. As a result, the Bach is rendered completely unrecognizable (much in the same way that most everyday objects would be unrecognizable if viewed under a microscope), yet it provides the fundamental harmonic architecture for a large portion of the piece. Of course this was simply a starting point – as the composition progressed, the harmonic choices became more intuitive so that instead of simply carrying out a mechanical process, the materials are allowed to develop in their own way.”
Reproduction Rights: This program note may be reproduced free of charge in concert programs with a credit to the author.