Pulse • Heart • Beat (2005)
(for mixed septet)

Pulse • Heart • Beat is a short, exhuberant work for chamber orchestra or mixed instrumental ensemble that explores the notions of pulse manifesting as both pitch and rhythm.

The piece opens like a machine snorting and grunting and eventually kicking in. After the initial dark texture with machine-like low pulses and high unison lines, the piece gradually rises in register, letting in more light through a series of process-driven episodes. Once the piece reaches its highest register, a new section begins, which sounds not dissimilar to a CD player with a skipping problem or a bass guitar riff gone mad. Here a flamboyant Jimi Hendrix inspired violin solo takes over, hurtling the piece back towards the unison texture of the opening material.

Versions for 1(pic).1.1+bcl.0+cbn/1.1.1.0/perc/pf/str and 1(pic).0.2(II:bcl).0/perc/pf/str(1.0.1.1.1) also available.