Critical Mass

Russell, Stuart

Composed

2004

Instrumentation

Flexible Ensemble with Keyboard

Scoring

5 parts: woodwind, bass, percussion, piano, strings

Availability

Contact CoMA

About the work

This piece takes the theme of conflict/resolution as war/peace. It starts with tension between two sides, one for war, the other peace. The tension builds until a point is reached (a critical mass) where the peace gives way to war which moves to regret, loss and grief. A third section introduces healing and celebration which give way to a prophesy.