Ambience I: Burning

Watch / listen

Score / parts

Instrumentation and duration

Clarinet and fixed electronics, with optional live electronics

Duration: 13 minutes

Commission / dedications

Commissioned by Lauri Sallinen with support from Sibelius Fund. Dedicated to Lauri Sallinen

First performance

Lauri Sallinen, clarinet, Markku Klami, electronics, Ainola, Meidän Festivaali, Järvenpää, Finland, July 29, 2024

Reflections

Composer's Notes

Ambience I: Burning for clarinet and fixed electronics is the first piece in series of works written for solo instrument and electronics. The series, carrying a main title "Ambience", refer to my roots in composing electronic music in my teens in late 1990's, and my affection to ambient music.

Ambience I: Burning is inspired by the concept of burning. Although burning may lead one's thoughts to fire and its destructive power, the work aims to bring out burning as an event that creates new growth.

The increased number of forest fires in recent years is a reminder of man's impact on his environment. At the same time, however, forest fires are a means of survival for various tree species, such as Giant sequoias growing in the Sierra Mountains of California. Ambience I: Burning proceeds from the terrifying destructive power of fire towards the birth of something new and beautiful.

Ambience I: Burning was commissioned by Lauri Sallinen and is dedicated to him. The commission was supported by Sibelius Fund.