Solo Works

Program Note:

Ramification is the final panel of my Triptych, coming after Negative Capability, for electric guitar, and Whispering lunar incantations, for prepared harp. All three pieces focus on the creation of an idiosyncratic, (relatively) unpitched sound world and emphasize gesture within a developing and evolving structure. Ramification is most concerned with different types of surfaces and branching paths/connections (ramifications) between them. Sometimes materials develop linearly along these paths, while jumping suddenly from one to the next at other times. My hope is that listening occurs on multiple levels of detail for both the performer and audience. Similar types of gestures (dragging vs scratching vs striking) occur on vastly different surfaces (gongs vs floor tom vs wood plank vs guiro vs chimes) with different implements (mallet vs superball vs mallet shaft vs brush vs nails), resulting in a range of drastically different sound qualities at seek to unify themselves, but may not always do so.

Ramificationwas composed for percussionist, Alex Garde, as part of the 2021 Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice.

-- HAB

Media: Appears on Negative Capability: Works by Hannah A. Barnes. Purchase here.

Performance History:

July 2025 -- Rebecca-Lloyd Jones, percussion, Marimbafest, Perth, Western Australia
April 2025 -- Kyle Flens, percussion; Ensemble Dal Niente Visiting Artist Recital at The University of Tulsa; Tulsa, OK
April 2024 -- Luke Helker, percussion; faculty recital, Benedcitine College, Atchinson, KS
February 2024 -- Antonin Granier, percussion; Le Vivier InterUniversitaire 7th Annual Concert; Montreal, QC
November 2023 -- Antonin Granier, percussion; McGill Association of Student Composers Fall Concert; Montreal, QC
April 2023 -- Luke Helker, percussion; Earth to Ears Concert; Lawrence, KS
November 2022 -- Kyle Flens, percussion; Ensemble Dal Niente Presents Kyle Flens; Epiphany Center for the Arts; Chicago, IL
World Premiere: June 2021 -- Alexander Garde, percussion; Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice; New England Conservatory; Boston, MA

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