Cicada Shell
Arlene Sierra
About this work:
Cicada Shell belongs to a series of pieces exploring principles of military strategy. The Thirty-Six Strategies, an ancient collection of Chinese battle tactics, provided impetus for this work. "Strategy 21: Slough off the cicada’s shell," advises that false appearances mislead enemies. Transformation and illusion are key to avoiding capture and defeat.
The work is in two movements of equal length: the first is a series of diminuendi derived from a ritornello theme, while the second is a series of crescendi based on the same materials. Both movements feature a number of cyphers based on the title of the work as well as a central motif transcribed from the call of cicadas in nature.
Cicada Shell was commissioned by the New Music Players with funding by the Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust and premiered in London at the BMIC Cutting Edge Festival in 2006. Its US premiere was given by the International Contemporary Ensemble at a Miller Theatre Composer Portrait of Arlene Sierra in 2009.
Year composed: 2006
Duration: 00:16:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Other Combinations, 6-9 players
Instrumentation: