Triboluminescence (2017, r.2019)

sinfonietta

Program Notes

"Triboluminescence" is an optical phenomenon in which light is generated through the breaking of chemical bonds when a material undergoes frictional contact, i.e. being crushed, ripped, scratched, or rubbed. It is famously observable when crunching on Wint-O-Green Life Savers in front of a mirror in the dark. While this piece is not programmatic, I imagine its gestures and morphing sound-world as being evocative of the phenomenon--exploring the conundrum of a material being battered and deformed in various ways, yet somehow ending up transformed into a more luminous state.

duration: c. 10’

Premiered by the Indiana University New Music Ensemble at the 2019 Midwest Composers Symposium