Theophany - Somewhere Between the Canyon and Stars

Abstract

Theophany: Somewhere Between the Canyon and Stars is a three-movement, electroacoustic work written for Bass Clarinet, Alto Flute, Soprano Saxophone, and Electronics. It is created in homage to Olivier Messiaen and his orchestral composition titled Des canyons aux étoiles…, and this document serves to explain the creative process and technology employed in producing the final piece.

Messiaen frequently drew his inspiration from nature, and in this case it came from places in the western United States, specifically three national parks in southern Utah: Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Zion National Park.

For my work I wanted to experience at least one of Messiaen’s physical places of inspiration, as well as utilize some of his compositional techniques and extramusical interests to see where the experiences and materials would lead me. The physical places I witnessed were Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park and Mount Messiaen, the compositional techniques I incorporated were Modes of Limited Transposition and Non-Retrogradable Rhythms, and the fields of Theology, Ornithology, and Asteroseismology functioned as primary sources for creative inspiration.

Theophany is the result of a year-long physical and mental excursion. The document that follows offers further detail on my sojourn in Utah, in the studio, and in Messiaen’s footsteps.