The Big Rip (A Science Fiction Cantata) (2009)

Instrumentation
Saxophone Quartet (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone), and Vocal Ensemble (soprano, countertenor, tenor, baritone, and bass)

Duration
20'

Commission
Commissioned by the Niedersächsische Sparkassenstiftung for the Niedersächsische Musiktage

Notes

The Big Rip uses the basic theme of “Night,” the theme of the 2009 Niedersächsische Musiktage, as its core idea. Instead of night as we experience it at the end of each day, I decided to use the concept of “Dark Energy,” the theory of the expansion of the universe that will ultimately rip our galaxy completely apart, the “ultimate night,” as the metaphorical starting point.  Texts are excerpted from Paul Celan’s poem “Engführung,” a science book called The Runaway Universe by Don Goldsmith, a science fiction short story entitled “Last Contact” by Stephen Baxter, Isaiah capter 51 verse 6, and an internet chat room conversation about the 2009 global economic situation.

Reviews
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Recordings
New World Records 80736-2, Rascher Saxophone Quartet, Calmus Ensemble

Availability
Plurabelle Music Publishing (Distributed by Subito Music Corp.)

World Premiere
September 10, 2009, Rascher Saxophone Quartet and the Calmus Ensemble of Leipzig, The Niedersächsische Musiktage (Lower Saxony Music Festival), Hameln, Germany

Notable Performances

October 25, 2009, Rascher Saxophone Quartet and the Calmus Ensemble of Leipzig, Gewandhaus, Leipzig, Germany

Audio

The Big Rip (A Science Fiction Cantata) performed by Rascher Saxophone Quartet, Calmus Ensemble