Vijay Iyer

Emergence is a composition for my group, the Vijay Iyer Trio, plus chamber orchestra. This piece situates our trio's collaborative improvisational language in the context of a classical ensemble. In juxtaposing the respective powers of these very different ensembles, and featuring them separately and together, we explore how these two contrasting perspectives on music might coexist. The trio's specialized skills of internal rhythmic synchronization and organic creative embellishment exist in relief against the orchestra's interpretive powers, range of colors, and sheer physical spread of sound. In this piece, the trio should not be featured up front in a typical "concerto" formation, but rather in the rear of the orchestra, driving the energy from within the ensemble. At times this "rhythm section" function may challenge the role of the conductor, since the sense of pulse is often guided sonically by the trio. In addition, at certain moments, the orchestral players are asked to make choices in real time, sometimes by listening and responding to each other, which challenges the centrality of the score and the composer. These reconsiderations of authority and agency are key questions for me as a composer and improviser.

– Vijay Iyer