Program Notes

The title of this piece is a peculiar sentence first imagined by linguist/philosopher Noam Chomsky - the sentence adheres perfectly to the rules of grammar, but it remains nonsensical in terms of semantics. Accordingly, the musical syntax of this piece is governed by many calculated processes with no programmatic or emotionally descriptive elements attached.  The individual gestures that contribute to the chaotic opening are each extracted and elaborated upon in various ways throughout the piece. Chomsky’s sentence has a strange yet satisfying ring to it despite its meaninglessness, and I like to think of this music as my attempt to embody that obscure quality.

duration: c. 9'

[score excerpts]