Fumarolica

With no break or tempo change from start to finish, Fumarolica evokes the fire and energy in the restless volcanic gas vents (called fumaroles) seen in places such as the Cascade Mountains, Yellowstone National Park, and other volcanic regions. Although fumaroles exist at nearly every volcano, some of the most famous fumaroles in the United States exist on Mount Hood (OR), Mount Saint Helens (WA), Yellowstone National Park (MT and WY), Long Valley Caldera at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort (CA), and Mount Redoubt (AK). Some emit hot water at different intervals (e. g. geysers), while others emit steam continually (often called simply steam vents). This piece reflects the latter kind.
Fumarolica, for bass clarinet and cello, developed from sketches I wrote on a plane, where I sketched a musical impression of whatever I saw, which included red cinder cones and even a reddish lake in the Rocky Mountain Range. These images reminded me of fumaroles, and the sketches of those scenes developed into this five-minute frenzy. Although technically composed in three sections, the perpetual motion, persistent dissonance, and extended techniques cause the work to feel more through-composed. Many trained geologists and mountain climbers have attested that fumaroles are toxic. Indeed, while listening to this work, you might just find yourself holding your breath from start to finish!