Surreal Abundance

orchestra 2,2,2,2 - 4,2,3,1 - timp, 3 perc, hp, pn, strings

duration 9'00"

Surreal Abundance (2003) depicts the constant barrage of information that each of us is exposed to in today’s society. Whether it’s by television, cell phone, email, the web, or the endless array of roadside billboards, the information seems to attack us in all places and from all directions. At times we feel overcome by the continuous stream of numbers, facts, and figures to the point where we feel that we cannot escape. This piece depicts these ideas through a reoccurring melodic theme, representing the human mind, which is repeatedly bombarded with other musical material. This theme is first presented as a series of fragments by the woodwinds in the opening phrase and constantly evolves as the piece progresses. The theme continues to be heard at points throughout the piece until the climax where it is completely overcome by the other musical material. At this point, the music depicts the mind suddenly shutting down and being left unable to make sense of any of the information that continues to invade it. 

Awards

• Surreal Abundance is the first prize winner of the 2004 Craig and Janet Swan Composer Prize for orchestra music. It was premiered on March 28th, 2005 by the University of Minnesota Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Akira Mori in Minneapolis, MN in conjunction with the awarding of this prize. 
• Selected for the 2006 Minnesota Orchestra Composers Institute.

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Contact the composer at edmartin@edmartincomposer.com to request the score and parts.