Nostrium was begun December 20 1989 and is a collection of orchestral works that can be incorporated into concert, ballet, or visual media frameworks. Initially intended as a three movement symphonic work, the sheer volume of musical ideas within each movement has demanded they be broken apart for more consistent – and complete – pieces. At this time, I’m not sure how many they will be, but a fair guess is between 4 – 6.
The initial imagery behind Nostrium was based on a dream where I was walking through a forest in broad day.light during summer. When I turned back, I notice a cold, thick mist rolling in that twists the trees and scorches the ground. In that mist, a presence that demanded I come to it which I obviously refused. That was back in 1989. Now in 2010, a month ago, a similar scene played out except this time, I stood before a dark pool or a tar pit. An eerie green glow reflected in the sticky waves and that same presence appeared demanding the same as before. I still refused and will continue to do so, but I can’t keep but wonder if something is out there waiting.
MOVEMENTS
- Nostrium I: Under revision.
- Nostrium II: Under revision.
- Nostrium III: Written between November 1 1994 to March 7 2010, this 12 minute work opens on a rather dark dream world that gives the impression that something has come before it. The flutes then introduce the main theme which will be juggled around to finally fully evolve right before the finale. The funeral-mood theme (indicated by the steady beat of the bass drum) goes through a few transformations and it attains gradually brighter colors.
