ANNE STRICKLAND
COMPOSER
Amusia is a condition resulting in inability to process musical sounds as music. In milder cases we might refer to this as tone-deafness, but in severe cases music is heard only as noise, and listening experiences that are enjoyable to most people can be quite painful for those who suffer from the disorder. After I read about this condition in Oliver Sacks’ book, Musicophilia, the parallels between amusia and my own struggle with anxiety struck me. Just as amusia distorts the perception of sounds, anxiety inhibits the ability to process stressful situations. The reality of this inhibition has never been more evident to me than in my studies and growth as a musician. After years of battling anxiety in the performance and composing of music, this piece is my first attempt to draw inspiration from that struggle.
The main melodic material of Amusia is derived from an old tape of my childhood piano practice, and is spun through a variety of musical environments. Sometimes this developing motive is voiced clearly at the forefront of the music, while at other times it recedes into the background, completely overtaken by the accompanying texture. The composing and drawing together of these musical environments has resulted in a very personal reflection for me. However, perhaps all of us suffer from different manifestations of amusia when the complex counterpoint of life becomes so twisted upon itself that all we are able to hear is noise.
-commissioned by the Stanislaus Symphony Orchestra-
See my home page (‘latest’ in the menu above) for the recording of the premiere performance!