Insecta (2011)


Insecta

Solo Piano

(2011) 5:00


Program Note:

Insecta, named after the class “Insecta” from the biological classification system, is a series of impressions of five different insects.

I. Ant Trail

A lone ant is in search of food. After finding some, more ants arrive, thus creating a rather large ant trail. Due to the machine-like behavior ants exhibit, this movement was written using imitation and is to be as inexpressive as possible.

II. Cold Butterflies

In North America, millions of Monarch butterflies migrate to forests in Mexico and Southern California every year for hibernation where they cling in large clusters to trees to stay warm during the winter. When the temperature warms up, the butterflies wake up. Their wings twitch and then they take flight, creating a giant cloud of orange and black. This movement gives an impression of the moments when the temperatures reach an ideal point for the cold butterflies to take flight.

III. Hercules

In this movement, a very strong and proud Hercules beetle is walking in the forest and decides to try to climb up a log. Unfortunately, things don't go according to plan.

IV. Baby Dragon Flies

A dragonfly nymph completes its transformation into a dragonfly. Being a new dragonfly, it is excited to fly for the first time. Not knowing the dangers of the new areas of exploration, the dragonfly takes off and is soon being chased by a hungry bird. Will the dragonfly escape?

V. Wasp Nest

This movement is inspired by a video of somebody throwing a log into a wasp nest in the ground. The wasps are immediately angered and, in order to protect their queen, begin taking their revenge by swarming, stinging, and biting the attacker as he tries to make his escape.