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Break-Up (12') 1998
clarinet in B-flat
violin
cello
piano
marimba

Sample Score - (opens in new window)
Sample Audio - Continuum New Music (opens in new window)

Break-up was conceived during the spring thaw in Inuvik, Northwest Territories and written during the months when the Mackenzie river ice breaks up in large chunks and flows out to the Beaufort sea, the land becomes alive again and summer returns. Although not programmatic hopefully this composition portrays my own feelings of the abrupt awakening of the land from the long dormant winter months. Along with new life there is also the return of the midnight sun and the activity of both humans and wildlife to which it brings. (Although personally I wish that the mosquitoes and black flies would remain dormant!) - Derek Charke 2:00am July 2nd, 1998 with the sun shining bright!