Disorientation

About this piece:

Steve Paxton, one of the founders of the dance form Contact Improvisation, defines the practice as, “…an evolving system of movement… based on the communication between two moving bodies that are in physical contact and their combined relationship to the physical laws that govern their motion—gravity, momentum, inertia. Alertness is developed in order to work in an energetic state of physical disorientation, trusting in one's basic survival instincts.” This dance form has captivated me, especially in its desire for and resolution of disorientation. Thus, my study of Contact Improvisation has provided me the conceptual roots for Disorientation.

This piece is scored for flute and electronics. The electronic track contains a mix of prerecorded flute sounds, synthesized instruments, and is intended to disorient the listener through blending the prerecorded flute sounds with the live performer. Disorientation is loosely based in Rondo form (ABACA) where the A section contains a tonally centered, lyrical theme grounding the ear. The B and C sections, however, are very interpretive, free, and disorienting to the ear. These two sections abruptly cut into the A section, disorienting the flutist and listener. Within these sections, it is obliged to the flutist to reorient with the electronics, matching its rate, volume, pitch, etc. Hence, Disorientation is a piece which puts into music concepts paramount of contact improvisation: free movement, momentum, gravity, and inertia.