Forbidden Alchemy (2021)

Written for Bass Clarinet & Marimba (4.3 octave)
Duration: 4 minutes & 30 seconds

Program Notes

Forbidden Alchemy (2013 "Understanding this Dark Magic” / 2021, retitled to "Forbidden Alchemy”) is a programmatic work inspired by the TV show Fullmetal Alchemist: the story of two young alchemist who go too far in their pursuit to bring their mom back from the dead and to push their alchemy (or “magic”) to their limits. The work begins with a set of curious and aggressive gestures that signify as a warning that further danger and more intense material lay beyond the work. Our brave musicians gets sucked into an ambiguous B-like section where the beat is constantly being thrashed around because of meter rapidly changing (6/8 to 3/4, 6/8 to 7/8, 4/4 to 12/8 to 7/8 to 2/4, and so on). We can hear the B-section “theme” as a plea to turn back and abandon this madness but is constantly being pulled downward. Constantly being dragged further and further down this spiraling madness, the saxophonist rips through the madness, ascending from the anarchy…. Only to find that the madness continues onward with an A’ section. Our musicians are worn down to the very end, fighting to keep going. As soon as it feels like it is over, both musicians ascend, going on their previous limits. However, it is not enough…. Their demand exceeded their supply….
”Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.” - Edward Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist.

Performance History

• Unpremiered