Primordial

for wind band (2022)

Duration: 7:30

Primordial is a word that roughly means ‘of a prehistoric time’. It refers to a simpler time on our earth; one without the Internet, skyscrapers, and even expansive civilizations. Human life was intertwined in the laws of nature and artificiality had yet to become a reality. People, spread far and wide across the British Isles found ways to not just survive, but thrive throughout the Stone Age. In the very west, the jagged Atlantic sea cliffs and rolling greenery of Ireland fostered a sense of solitude and serenity. Humans here lived in stone structures, aptly referred to as beehive huts for their unique shape and construction.

Primordial explores the life of a family in one of these huts, perched high above the North Atlantic. A prominent theme echoes throughout the entire work, one that resembles traditional Irish melodies. The opening phrases create a sense of tension, as one’s survival is not guaranteed or even favored; yet, life persists. Later, the piece traverses to a new tonal center signifying what lies outside the beehive. Nature lies with no limits and is overflowing with serenity and beauty. The two contrasting motifs rebound off each other into a climactic ending, the fusion of the hardships of human survival and tranquility of our natural world.