Chrysopoeia - flute, vibraphone, bass trombone

Score - 8.5 x 11 / Parts - 8.5 x 11

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Chrysopoeia was written for The Fourth Wall Ensemble and completed in February of 2015. The Fourth Wall is a hybrid arts ensemble of stellar musicians who incorporate acting and dancing into their performances. They were originally going to choreograph movement for the performances of my piece, which unfortunately never happened. So without being overly programmatic, I decided to allude to an alchemical scene that was inspiration during the composition process and that would hopefully inspire creative choreography.

Chrysopoeia is the term in alchemy that literally means “transmutation into gold.” This process was believed to be evidence of the Philosopher’s Stone, a much sought after magical substance that could turn base metals into gold or help alchemists obtain immortality. The alchemical scene is alluded to with four short lines of text inserted at specific points in the score and are as follows:

1. The Alchemists gather. They surround the crude lump of lead and rigidly begin to recite the ancient incantations.

2. Occasional sparks begin to spew from the lead.

3. The sparks become more frequent and small patches of gold begin to emerge. The

   Alchemists become more persistent.

4. The final transmutation of lead into gold. Alchemists surround the shimmering gold,

   ecstatic with a crazed look and a feeling of power.

Musically, it is very dry and rigid in the beginning and gradually becomes more fluid and luminous.