Nico Muhly

Pulses, Cycles, Clouds

Nico Muhly 's Pulses, Cycles, Clouds for large mixed Percussion ensemble was written for the 50th anniversary of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. At its core, it is a group of four marimbas, surrounded by various bells and other mallet instruments; unpitched instruments here are primarily played by an ensemble of amateur percussionists. The piece obsesses over a cycle of eleven chords, introduced slowly through the beginning of the piece. Each chord is announced by a large vertical moment with bells, vibraphone, and a sudden shift in tonality. The four marimbas then relax into a series of soft interlocking patterns, over which an ensemble of glockenspiels and crotales plays a simple rhythm in a complex relationship to the other instruments. Eventually, the pulse disintegrates entirely, into a vision of a night sky; insects, unexpected interruptions - a walk around a quiet landscape. Eventually, the pulse returns, but nocturnally subdued. The piece is meant to echo, in its way, the thrill of community music making, the joy of sharing a pulse, and the various connections both rhythmic and interpersonal I made at BUTI two decades ago. - Nico Muhly