big mosquito (2017)

[A] for Bass Clarinet and Double Bass

[B] for Bass Clarinet and Organ

Composed for Université d'Altitude (France)

ca. 6 min.​

Watch Score Video HERE

Request PDF score HERE

27th International Review of Composers Call for Scores (Belgrade, Serbia)

One late night in an artist residency in the forests of upstate New York, I concluded my composing for the day, switched off the lights in my room, and snuggled into bed. Soon after, I heard an unfamiliar low-frequency noise - something like a machine - permeating the air. Switching on the light, I was shocked to see what looked like a shadow of an outer-space monster cast upon my room's wall. Startled, I glanced upward to witness the largest mosquito I had ever encountered in my life, buzzing overhead. 

big mosquito was inspired by a harrowing encounter I had one night with the largest mosquito I had ever seen in my life while in residence at Yaddo. Despite being in deep forest, the tightly shut windows and firmly sealed door should have prevented any insect intrusion. I do not like to kill insects, so for hours, I attempted to usher the creature out of the room, but to no avail. Exhausted, I resigned myself to bed, only to be plagued by the unsettling sound of fluttering wings drawing nearer then farther, and nearer again. Sleep eluded me, replaced by mild nightmares haunting my restless night. Upon awakening, the big mosquito had vanished, however leaving behind a sizable red swelling on my right ear - the only part inadvertently exposed from my blanket.

July 15, 2017 (World Premiere)

Université d'Altitude

Espace Jean Grinda, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, France

Ensemble Multilatérale: Alain Billard (B. Cl.), Nicolas Crosse (Cb.)

August 6, 2017 (Japan Premiere)

OTO-Asobi 2017: Tokyo Concert

NextSunday Asagaya

Tsubasa Kaneda (B. Cl.), Rion Kidokoro (Cb.)

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January 13, 2018 (US Premiere)

Beyond: Microtonal Music Festival and Symposium

University of Pittsburgh Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Pittsburgh, PA

Emily Cook (B. Cl.), Ryan McMasters (Cb.)

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August 3, 2018

現代のサウンドスケープ

Mita Hall, Osaka, Japan

Iván Solano (B. Cl.), Rintaro Kojima (Cb.)​

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October 7, 2018 (Serbia Premiere)

27th International Review of Composers

Composers' Association of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia

Predrag Nedeljković (B. Cl.), Goran Kostić (Cb.)

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June 13, 2023

REED[S]

Église Sainte-Aurélie, Strasbourg, France

Iván Solano (B. Cl.), Jean-Luc Iffrig (Organ)