Does It Matter?
Timothy J. Brown
About this work: Does It Matter? uses the text of the same name by Siegfried Sassoon, a British soldier who survived World War I.
The central compositional device in the work centers on use of the “Prometheus Scale” or “Mystic Chord,” used by the composer Scriabin.
(C D E F# A A# )This scale was chosen because of the symbolism of Prometheus - that giving fire to humans empowers them. It was chosen, however, to be a sarcastic commentary for the soldier in the poem who is contemplating (or actually dealing with) loss of legs and sight and sanity - the loss of his “fire” at the encouragement of his country. This soldier was empowered to fight but has now lost the ability to live his own life. The use of indeterminacy in the violin and viola parts underscores this loss of control. One influence in this piece is Serenity for voice and piano by Charles Ives.
This work is from a larger set of 10 pieces, but may be performed independently. Contact the composer for more information.
Year composed: 2003
Duration: 00:09:00
Ensemble type: Voice, Solo or With Chamber or Jazz Ensemble:Voice with Chamber/Jazz Ensemble, 6-9 Players
Instrumentation: 1 Oboe, 1 Piano, 1 Violin, 1 Viola, 1 Cello, 1 Soprano
Instrumentation notes: (coloratura)