Based on the Edgar Allan Poe short story of the same name, The Pit and the Pendulum was created from collaborative efforts between myself and dancer and choreographer Elsie Currie. We were given the opportunity for collaboration as part of her collaborative dance course that worked with the Appalachian State University composition studio. While I had written for film before, working with a dancer was an entirely new concept to me. The chance for this interdisciplinary work was a fantastic opportunity that has sprouted even more inspiration in my compositional endeavors.
The fixed media piece itself is eerie, a solo organ voice modulated slightly with reverb featuring long sustain pitches leading to a fast, anxiety-driven climax until it falls down back to a soft, low sustain.
The Pit and the Pendulum performed November 5th at Appalachian State University