Undergraduate Composers Concert

Arshia Ashari - ∃x(P(x)∧¬P(x)) for solo piano and electronics

Maxwell Williams - diseventual for clarinet and piano

Alex Ryan - Braving the Obscure for solo piano

Taylor Buehler - Blind for two voices and electronics

INTERMISSION

Sophie Ma - I See Through for three voices

Ethan Wu - H (eartbeat) for violin and fixed media

Nick Mendonsa - Bones Of A Shadow for electric bass, metal percussion, electronics, and voice

Within the scope of basic classical logic, which often shares the same fundamental structures as that of the average intuition, the entailment of a contradiction is deemed false and invalid. Yet, when it comes to the contemplation of what someone like Albert Camus would refer to as “the Absurd”—which eventually and inevitably creeps upon every corner of one’s consciousness—the same notions of paradox and tension are bound to arise. Consequently, in such instances, rationality proves to be inadequate, leaving only the essence of contradiction to ultimately prevail and provide any semblance of what one might consider an answer.

Thus, the work is not to master reason and intellect so proficiently to tame the seemingly untamable, nor is it to discard all attempts at value with an indifferent shrug. Rather, it is to embrace one’s position as that of the “Absurd Hero” and awaken day upon day, not by virtue of habit, but as a result of the choice to walk down the slope upon every descent of the falling boulder. And in that regard, it is exactly this choice which reveals a higher degree of freedom within the restraints of obligation.

Diseventual [adj]: Referring to a state or condition characterized by the apparent absence of eventual or possible outcomes. It suggests a situation or circumstance that lacks any potential at first glance or likelihood of progressing or culminating in a future event or outcome but still has the chance to achieve finality.

This piece is about the threshold between familiarity and chaos and the journey we undertake when we dare to plunge into an alien darkness.  The primordial terror that stirs, halts us, prods us on, and leaves us changed. The puckishness we summon in the face of the unknown.

Blind was created to give an insight into my own personal struggles with autism and fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disease. It's meant to represent the alienation I feel towards people and their ulterior motives, and the resulting, lonely isolation I experience between that and my chronic pain.

“I”/“eye” [aɪ]: Recognition of the self “I” and vision. A liminal state of doubt without clear direction.

“I See” [aɪ siː]: Seeking, gaining perception little by little; pathways of reflection.

“I See Through” [aɪ siː θruː]: Claiming ownership of clarity, agency, and power. self-actualization.

I. over

II. orror

III. aze

Inspired by three personal experiences of sleep paralysis.

-Lynn Mecula