it Is what it always Was (2021) by Emily McPherson
it Is what it always Was (2021) by Emily McPherson
Originally written for ensembles of six or more, it Is what is always Was is an open instrumentation, cell-based work providing rhythms that are repeated 5 or 15 times. It was premiered at Emily’s master’s degree composition recital at the Pavilion Theatre at Penn State University, where both Malcolm and Zach were performers. Matchstick Percussion’s performance is arranged for quartet with the number of cell repetitions doubled to 10 and 30 times.
“This is the first piece in a collection of open duration ensemble works that each focus on one expanded concept.
it Is what it always Was is a piece that is a sonic experiment that focuses on one pitch. Various timbral characteristics, possible octave displacement, and rhythmic patterns offer slight variations to the overall sound. it Is what it always Was refers to the ever-present pitch that remains the same from beginning to end, while slowly evolving into a different version of itself.”
About the composer:
Emily McPherson (b. 1998) is a composer currently based in Breckenridge, Colorado. Her work includes a wide variety of instrumentation across different styles including solo, large and small chamber ensembles, large ensembles, and electronics via fixed media and live electronics. Her work is primarily influenced by external media such as the visual arts, environment, poetry/written text, and a connection to physical space and time. Collaboration lives at the center of her work and consistently works with persons in non-adjacent disciplines such as architecture, videography, art, performance, poetry, etc.
McPherson’s works have been performed throughout the United States and internationally in Xi’an, China. Her music has been honored and awarded at festivals, events, and publications such as Yarn/Wire Institute, Electronic Music Midwest, The_____Experiment Conversations CD, UToledo Student Composition Competition, NASA Region 5 Conference, Research on Contemporary Composition Conference, International Composition Competition for Electronic & Electroacoustic Masters Vol. 1, Performing Media Festival, She Can, We Can: Beyond the Women’s Suffrage Centennial (2021), Alba Composition Program (2021), and SPLICE Institute 2021. Emily holds her BM in Music Composition from Bowling Green State University and an MM in Music Composition from Penn State University. Learn more about Emily McPherson and her music on her website: https://emilymcpherson-composer.com/
Performed by Matchstick Percussion at their Launch Party on September 23nd, 2023 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Washington D.C.
Video and Audio Recording by Brendan Sweeney
Video Edited by Ben Hausman
