PROGRAM NOTE

Flames behave in very interesting ways, much like people – just the right trigger, environment, or situation can create vastly different states of being. The title of this piece was decided well before I started writing it, and I thought it was fitting since I wanted to write a fiery piece for orchestra that combined a good amount of virtuosity, unpredictability, and fun. When the time came, I started going down the rabbit hole of scientific articles and videos about various flame types and how a typical laminar flame (think gas stove or a bunsen burner) could turn into a more unpredictable (and dangerous, in an uncontrolled situation) turbulent flame. I started seeing terms that seemed inherently musical to me; ones like Coherent Oscillations, Vortex Shedding, Luminous Zone, Phase Jitter, Pulsating Instability, and Propagation Velocity. While I played around with all of the sounds that remind me of these processes (including ominous “flamethrower” sounding rolls on the bass drum) I thought of all the years I have played in different ensembles and wondered how powerful and incendiary an orchestra could get all while enjoying the safety of a controlled burn.

This work would not be possible without the leadership of conductor Wesley Schulz and Executive Director Rachel Perry of the Auburn Symphony Orchestra. They have grown, and continue to build, a consortium of orchestras across the United States that will introduce this work into the world – and for that I am forever grateful.