Patrick Gibson: Fugue for Martians, Performed by the Martians Chamber Group, Live, November 3, 2024

Fugue for Martians (2024) Composed by Patrick Gibson I. Prelude: 1619 II. Fugue: Under the Surface III. Intermezzo: William Grant Still IV. Fugue: The Moment of Change V. Finale: Créspuscule à L'Aube - a) Fugue: Crépuscule; b) Intermezzo: Le Soir; c) Fugue: L'Aube; d) Finale: Fugato e Berçeuse The Martians: Soli Jones, oboe Reyneelynn Cameros, Bb clarinet Christian Dubeau, piano Christine Lee, synthesizer Javier Castillo, electric guitar Gracie Sprout, harp Kaija Rose Hansen, violin I Leonard Woo, violin II Anthony Schnell, violoncello Alexis Luter, double bass Patrick Gibson, conductor Video Filmed, Edited, and Directed by Josie Hoh Additional Editing and Titles by Patrick Gibson A Program Note from the Composer: “Fugue for Martians is a piece that took me about three years to complete - the longest gestation of any Concert Music piece I have yet composed. The ideas for the piece took root in my mind during the demonstrations that occurred in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd.The fourth movement of this piece, Fugue: The Moment of Change, was written during a night of demonstrations happening a few blocks away from my studio, and the sounds of the people, crying for justice, helped me find the musical ideas that would form the basis of Fugue for Martians. I wrote because I felt that it was what I could contribute to the discussion and awakening going on in our nation. "Not having experienced anything like the conditions and prejudices faced by my fellow Americans, I thought of how African-American composers had shaped me and my music and I tried to write a personal homage to them by creating a new piece with their musical structures embedded within it. I think that all of my pieces are likely written in this way, profoundly influenced by the Music of African American creators, but it was in Fugue for Martians that I first kept track of each instance of that influence as it made its appearance across the musical stage of the piece. "Its narrative arc starts in fear and uncertainty, moves forward in both hopeful determination and sorrow, reaches a climax with shattered musical ideas and confusion, and then concludes with the hopeful dawning of a new age. I hope it is worthy of the subject. The Martians’ performance of it truly was. I am so grateful to them for going on this long journey with me and supporting me and bringing it all to vibrant life, as only they can. "It is submitted for your consideration with all love and respect to the community that inspired it, and to all of my fellow Americans." For more of Patrick Gibson's music, please visit https://www.patrickgibsoncomposer.com For more about Josie Hoh, Filmmaker, please visit https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5067302/ or visit https://www.filmvisionary.com For more Music by Gracie Sprout, please visit https://www.graciesprout.com For more Music by Christian Dubeau, please visit https://www.christiandubeau.com For more Music by Christine Lee, please visit https://www.christineleemeeyong.com For more Music by Kaija Rose Hansen, please visit https://www.kaijahansenviolin.com ©2024 Patrick Gibson