Connectome

John Psathas

General Info

Year of Published: 2019
Publisher: Title Publisher
Difficulty: Advanced
Duration: 00:17:30
Cost: Score and Parts - $140.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Movements

Part 1: Pashupatastra
Part 2: Farewell to the Flesh
Part 3: Rom in Space

Instrumentation

Solo

Vibraphone & Drum Set

Ensemble

Player 1: Soprano Saxophone
Player 2: Alto Saxophone
Player 3: Tenor Saxophone
Player 4: Baritone Saxophone

Program Notes

CONNECTOME

...a comprehensive map of neural connections in the brain; may be thought of as the brain's wiring diagram.

Three musical reflections on the possible futures that the wiring of the human mind might eventually lead us to.

Part 1 - Pashupatastra

(From the Mahabharata)... he asked for the sacred and deadly weapon Pashupatastra so that neither man nor god could prevail over him. Yet Shiva warns him of Pashupatastra's powers: Arjuna will not be able to dispose of the weapon or give it back, nor recall the horrible weapon once he wields it. It has the power to destroy the world.

A take on the New Orleans funeral 2nd line. Perhaps we (humans) are learning that we are the ultimate weapon, and we are aiming it at ourselves. Perhaps we ourselves are Pashupatastra, capable of destroying everything. Is this is our own funeral march (based on a very well-known fragmented melody)?

Part 2 - Farewell to the Flesh

An elegy. Inspired by the increasing likelihood that we will one day make complete scans - connectomes - of the neural connections in our brains and nervous systems that are so accurate and complete; we will exist after death as immortal digital consciousness. The ramifications of the transition to digital life are beyond understanding right now, but it's hard to imagine not mourning the loss of our physical, sensual, selves. So many questions: When I am code will I really feel emotion? ‍* Will a good joke make me laugh? ‍‍* Will I experience touch, taste, smell, hearing? ‍* Will someone be able to edit me? Make copies?‍ ‍* Will I be I or AI?

Part 3 - Rom in Space

When we imagine the future of space travel it's common to think of astronauts and scientists, white space suits, and shining technology. But think much further ahead, when all of us get into space. Imagine gypsies and nomads with the freedom to roam anywhere, and the kind of energy they (and all the rest of us) will bring to the stars...

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Solo Works

Atalanta - Vibraphone and Audio
Buyan - Timpani and Audio
Djinn - Marimba
Drum Dance - Drum Set and Piano
Hello - Multiple Percussion and Piano
Infinite Mind - Marimba and Audio
Leviathan - Multiple Percussion
Planet Damnation (Solo Version) - Timpani
Pharaoh - Timpani
Relentless - Multiple Percussion and Audio
Sphinx - Timpani

Small Percussion Ensemble Works

4BY4 - Percussion Quartet
Aegean - Percussion Quartet
Corybas - Percussion Quintet
Cloud Folk - Percussion Octet; Piano
Kyoto - Percussion Quintet
Matre's Dance - Percussion Quartet

Large Percussion Ensemble Works

Planet Damnation for Percussion Ensemble - Solo Timpani + 12 Players
White Feather - 13 Players

With Other Instrument Works

Connectome - Multiple Percussion + Saxophone Quartet
Farewell to Flesh - Multiple Percussion + String Quartet