On the Pivot of an Abandoned Carousel (2015) for flute, electronics and video is written for Flutist Kenzie Slottow. The piece describes the haunted scene of a carnival, once a beautiful place full of happiness and joy.
Historically, the calliope, a small carnival organ, was a signature of the carnival and represented simple childhood happiness. Here, the flute, which I use to imitate the calliope, becomes increasingly more distorted until it ultimately collapses. The scene becomes abandoned. The flute and electronics overlap so the audience cannot determine what is real and what is not. The piece thus mimics our memories. It shows the exaggerations and delusions we form in our heads. On one hand, the music can recall amazing memories of wonderful experiences. On the other, the music is creepy and haunted. This is the human brain’s ability. Things can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. Experience the mind’s illusionary power.
