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Papillon and the Dancing Cranes, for 3 Constructions Cranes and ensemble.
2018

Self-Portrait, for me
2016

Princess Nightmare Moon, for violin, clarinet, piccolo, piano, percussion, electronics
2016

35 Degrees, for 2 assistants, electric guitar, keyboard, percussion, electronics, video
2016

Elpis, for 2 sopranos, 3 assistants, soprano saxophone, french horn, cello, percussion, keyboard, electronics, video
2016

Words to Sleep By, for voice, saxophone, basson, electronics
2016

The Portal, by and for On Structure
2015

Song for Matilda & Me, for clarinet and electronics
2015

Child of Chimera, for drumset, cello, piano, electronics
2015

An Economy of Means, for miniature drumset and electronics
2014-15

The Colors Don't Match, for voice, piccolo, clarinet, violin, percussion, electronics
2014

2.5 Nightmares for Jessie, for cello and two assistants
2014

Wee Robot, for 4 disklaviers and electronics
2014

A Case for Dysfunctional Persistence, for piccolo, oboe, clarinet, 2 violins, 2 basses, trumpet, trombone, tuba, accordion, percussion, piano/sampler
2014

Second Nightmare, for KIKU, for violin and two assistants
2013

Vexed, for pic, Eb clar, vln, vcl, 2 perc, pno, harp, sampler, video
2013

Twistisch II, for two performers
2013

Nightmare for JACK (a ballet), for string quartet
2013

Panik(bread), for two percussionists and 2 pianists
2012

Twistisch, for two performers
2012

Bahnhof, for voice and electronics
2012

On Silence, for two performers
2012

Strange Attractors, for piccolo, percussion, and electronics
2012

Uncanny Valley, a monodrama
2011

Nystagmus, for two performers
2010-11

Symbiosis II, for violin, cello, piano, and computer
2010

Symbiosis I, for tape and performative lasers
2009

nonlinear interface, for flute, violin, cello, percussion, computer
2007

filament, for flute, violin, cello, percussion, sine waves
2006

ether
for amplified piccolo and tape
2005

 

 

Princess Nightmare Moon

for violin, piccolo, clarinet, piano, percussion, electronics
Natacha Diels 2016

Fairytales for performers::

Phantasms return
Adjourned spirits draw near
Six heads snap left
Nervous glances
Pages turn.
Scornful wistful slow singsong
Lonesome hiss of air expired
A silver lining, deceptive mirror
Pages turn.
Carved from cotton candy,
A transient ritual—
a fragile fancy.

This is the fifth in a series of ‘nightmares’ written for chamber ensemble between 2012 and 2016. Throughout this series I have exploded the minute gestures executed by performers through choreography, repetition, and counterpoint. Each nightmare also describes a narrative, unique to each ensemble for which the nightmare was composed.
The choreography of ordinary gestures allows for a visual counterpoint of gestures that is executable by performers typically unaccustomed to considering their physical movements on a detailed level. I use this platform both to manifest and heighten my own artistic intentions and neurosis, and to establish a fairytale-like environment for the audience.
The ensemble’s role in Princess Nightmare Moon is that of a machine, demonstrated by the constant pulsing of the breath sounds. Throughout the piece, the violinist’s relationship with the machine fluctuates— sometimes she joins the machine, sometimes she controls it, sometimes she is hypnotized by it, sometimes she observes it from a silent outside. Eventually, the machine devolves into chaotic madness and consumes her, and the piece ends on a twisted carnival ride of frantic unison song accompanied by dizzying flashing colored lights.

 

 

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