Junk Pop (2011) for Wind Ensemble
Listen to live recording of Junk Pop from Andriessen 75 Fest, the Shenandoah Conservatory Wind Ensemble conducted by Tim Rivenburg, April 12, 2014
Live video of the first performance by David Martins and the 2011 BUTI Young Artists Wind Ensemble at Tanglewood Music Center
Program Notes
Junk Pop is inspired by the painter Jean-Michel Basquiat and his tragic death from a heroin overdose at the age of 27. Gradually-unfolding processes in the music emulate how heroin use affects the human mind over time, as the impact of the first experience is continuously chased but can never again be fulfilled. The form represents Basquiat’s meteoric rise to fame and success, abruptly silenced much too soon. The percussion section plays colorful and intense gestures and beats as a nod to Basquiat’s powerful graffiti-inspired visual style.
This work was written for and first performed by David Martins the 2011 Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Wind Ensemble and funded in part by the Composer Assistance Program of the American Music Center.
Performance History
First performance:
Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Wind Ensemble conducted by David Martins at Tanglewood Music Center, July 19, 2011
Additional performances:
Bowling Green State University Wind Ensemble conducted by Bruce Moss, Bowling Green State University New Music Festival, October 15, 2011
Peabody Preparatory Wind Orchestra conducted by Elijah Wirth, 2013
Shenandoah Conservatory Wind Ensemble conducted by Timothy Riverburg at Andriessen 75 Festival, April 12, 2014
University of Idaho Wind Ensemble with Alan Gemberling, March 2, 2017
Instrumentation list from inside of score to Junk Pop
Bird on Money (1981) by Jean-Michel Basquiat
More information
Review by Matt Mendez of 2014 performance of “Junk Pop” in I Care If You Listen
Recording and Review on NewSoundsLive On-Demand Audio, “from hard-driving, carnivalesque brass to thoughtful call-and-response figures tossed between the instrumentalists.”
For more information, including performance inquiries, send email to fultonruby@gmail.com