Duration: ca. 4 minutes

Premiered April 28, 2024, by Mostly Modern Orchestra, Middelburg, Netherlands,
conducted by Theo Vinden.

Falling? is a follow up to Kosmos (2023), originally planned to be a second movement, but later refined as a standalone piece. Rapid downward gestures characterize the hectic and bombastic character of the piece, resemblant of an onslaught of falling stars. The music begins in a haze, with intertwined high woodwind lines that blur the texture, before it is kicked off into a flurry of sounds. I was enamoured by the idea of flipping the hierarchy of the orchestra on it's head. Thus, the inauguration of percussion instruments are put into focus, as they initially play in tandem with the orchestra, supporting from the background of the texture, but quickly break free from the ensemble. The middle section is a violent battle between solos in the percussion section and interruptions from the rest of the orchestra attempting to bring the music back on track. Ultimately, the percussion section completely breaks free, running off with a highly energetic soli that wraps up the conflict of the piece.

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