Atem (2007) 15′

for ensemble

Fl/Picc – Ob – Cl (Bb, Eb, Bass) – Bsn – Hn – Trp – Trb – Tb – Perc(2) – Strings: 1.1.1.1.1

Large portions of “Atem” were composed during a working residency in Berlin, which inspired its German title. “Atem” translates to “breath,” and the work explores the concept of breathing in various ways. I aimed to create what I initially referred to in my sketches as a “ghost ensemble”—an ensemble that only rarely produces clearly defined sounds. For example, the first and third sections are fast scherzos composed almost entirely of subtle breath-like sounds. Breathing also plays a crucial role in the second and fourth sections, where the work gradually adopts a slower pulse, ultimately bringing the instrumental groups together in expansive, unified breathing movements.

“Atem” was commissioned by the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra with support from the Norwegian Council of Culture.

First performed November 22, 2007 in Kristiansand Domkirke, by musicians from Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra conducted Rolf Gupta.