Century Machines

NotePerformer rendition of a piece I've been working on since mid 2023. It has been chosen to take part in the final round of the upcoming Alexander Award Composition Competition where it will be performed and recorded by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. The final round takes place on March 9, 2024 and will be livestreamed at / @musicscape .
"Century Machines is a nod to Century Rolls, a piano concerto by the famous John Adams. It is also a continuation of my 'machine' works, hence the name. The work begins in a similar fashion to Adams' concerto with the pianist playing rolling chords that quickly establish the harmonic landscape. Rhythmic complexity drives the work forward with each section of the orchestra often butting heads while building towards intense climaxes. These bustling, almost mechanical sections are contrasted starkly by a hypnotic middle section featuring the tender alto flute. The work sums up my current compositional style perfectly: foundationally simple material stretched and expanded to the maximum."
Instrumentation
Piccolo (doubling Alto Flute), Flute 1-2
Oboe 1-2, English Horn
Clarinet 1-2 in A, Bass Clarinet in Bb
Bassoon 1-2, Contrabassoon
Horn 1-4
Trumpet 1-3
Trombone 1-2, Bass Trombone
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion 1
Bass Drum, Tenor Drum, Tam-tam, Suspended Cymbal
Percussion 2
Tom-toms
Percussion 3
Wood Block
Percussion 4
Triangle, Whip, Glockenspiel
Percussion 5
Vibraphone
Harp
Piano
Strings
Images were AI generated via deepai.org abstract painting generator using the prompts machinery, cogwheels, and screws.

[@zechalmor]

Very cool. I enjoy it a lot.

[@NjabuloPhungula]

Sounding great, Owen! I'm looking forwarding to tuning in to hear the live rendition.

[@theresavandermerwe4696]

This is going to sound so cool live