Rivers Empyrean
for 10 instruments
2021, 16 minutes
Commissioned, premiered, and recorded by Fifth House Ensemble
Instrumentation
fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, pno, vln, vla, vcl, db
Program Note
Rivers Empyrean was commissioned by Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble, who have been friends of mine since I was a student in their summer festival, Fresh Inc., back in 2013. The genesis of this work was a collaboration between Fifth House and the Friends of the Chicago River (FCR) designed to celebrate environmental conservation through music. In meeting with representatives from FCR, I learned a great deal about the Chicago River system, its fascinating history, and the efforts being taken in the present day to improve the ecology of the river, not only for the sake of the river's health, but also for the people who enjoy the beauty and usefulness that it has to offer. In addition to learning about the Chicago River from FCR and looking over their data materials concerning pollution and overflow
etc., I also spent a week touring the various areas that the river services. This research trip inspired the six sections of music that make up the piece Rivers Empyrean. Each section represents my musical reaction to witnessing these various facets of the river, and hopefully the beauty that I experienced in each.
I. The Lake
No discussion of the Chicago River can be had without mentioning the importance of Lake Michigan. The lake has served Chicago's history not only as a water route to the city, but also as the city's primary source of drinking water. Protecting this lifegiving resource has been pivotal in the history of the Chicago River, including the reversal of the river direction in the early 20th century. I try to capture the vastness and depth of the lake with muted low strings on the piano, as well as the sense of calmness I felt on its shores with a solo for the violin.
II. Main Stem
The main stem of the Chicago River is best experienced downtown, with the nonstop hustle and bustle of the city all around you. As such, I've written a loud, propulsive dance for the ensemble, with lots of dexterous writing for the winds to try to capture that feeling of energy. I also use this section as an opportunity to implement the history of the river into the music. As some may know, the Chicago River was reversed by human engineering in the beginning of the 20th century (the river used to flow into Lake Michigan, but now flows from the lake and down the southern branch). This was done because pollution from the city was being
dumped into the river at such an amount that the drinking water from Lake Michigan was being threatened, as well as a creating a disturbing amount of illness for those who worked along the river. Throughout this section of music, I hint at the history of pollution with a sinister bubbling motiv in tahe low instruments throughout, which eventually triggers a "reversal" in the music: musical gestures that are at first heard ascending, suddenly descend at the end of this section, returning to a sense of calm as the reversed flow carries the pollution away.
III. North and South Branch
The north branch of the Chicago River is the part that is least touched by human interference. Running in its original direction, I found it compelling for how isolated the river feels from human society. It is the best part of the river to experience it in its natural state. One can walk for hours along it and only occasionally come across a suburb or street to cross. I imagined this sense of purity as a solo for oboe over a gently flowing piano accompaniment, finding beauty and joy around each turn of the river. When exploring the southern branch, I went to visit several of the forest preserves that are found in that area outside of Chicago. The preserves, while not always connected to the river itself, nonetheless offer a nearby natural refuge from the urban sounds and activity. These brief sojourns from the river inspired a short episode for strings and winds at the end of this movement.
IV. Deep Tunnel
As impressive as the reversal of the Chicago River was as a feat of engineering, another engineering project is currently underway to combat pollution that is equally notable. This is referred to as the "Tunnel and Reservoir Plan" (TARP), or simply "Deep Tunnel." It entails building a network of underground tunnels and large reservoirs to prevent pollution overflowing into the river during periods of heavy rain. Estimated to be fully completed by 2029, this project is an enormous endeavor, and a perfect example of the steps being taken today to continue to protect the health of the river for decades to come, in every area of the river system. I decided to capture this endeavor by creating a rainstorm with the musical instruments. The music begins gently at first, with several slow, downward lines for the cello. When the cello eventually hits its lowest note, a calamity erupts from the piano. It threatens to overwhelm the music entirely, but eventually dissipates as the storm continues on. This is my image of an overflow threatening to harm the river, but is held back thanks to the deep tunnels diverting the storm water and sewage to a safe place.