Descend (2025)
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PROGRAM NOTE
Descend, for three electric guitars, was commissioned in 2025 by Brent Miller and Harjo — a San Francisco-based ensemble devoted to “aural exploration of the extreme... continuing a path illuminated by the works of John Cage, Pauline Oliveros, The Melvins, Arvo Pärt, and Sunn O))).” Over the course of Descend’s 45–55 minutes, each guitarist articulates a slow-moving series of chords in a continual cycle of downward progressions. Each strand of equally-spaced pulses unfolds at a slightly different temporal rate, resulting in interaction, overlap, and occasional convergence between individual lines. After a stark introduction of six primary sonorities, harmonies swirl and churn as heavily distorted chords transition to a gentle middle section of pure single tones and harmonics. Eventually, distortion resumes as a new progression of six chords is gradually revealed and presented in near-unison at the work’s conclusion.