Simple Machines

Flit
Churn
Float

If one applies a scientific definition and notions of pulleys and levers, the above is probably more of a misnomer than a title. And yet, it does usefully describe what I believe I’ve made with these three short abstract sketches. Each movement takes as its point of departure an elemental concept in music – gesture, line, and harmony respectively – and, rather than run with it, tends to fixate. While the music in each cannot correctly be described as developmental, there is also little in the way of a calming stasis. These little machines run dutifully, chaotically, obsessively in their frustrated and relentless actions, until they just simply quit.

I joyfully dedicate Simple Machines to Augusta Read Thomas and David Dzubay, two dear mentor composers who’ve I’ve known and deeply admired for nearly my entire life in music, who together bring the piece into existence in every literal and figurative way.

—Sean Shepherd