Michael Mills - Scattered (2022), for clarinet, violin, and piano [score follower]

Scattered is a dynamic expression of sudden loss, change, and frustration, with the form reflecting the unpredictable shifts between the denial, anger, and acceptance stages of grief.
Performed by Teagan Faran, Emmalie Tello, and David Friend at the 2022 Walden Creative Musicians Retreat

[@guidofazzito]

very nice!

[@michaelmills-composer5524]

@@guidofazzito thank you!

[@RachManJohn]

The new Firebird.

[@michaelmills-composer5524]

That’s a big compliment, I appreciate it. Thank you!

[@RachManJohn]

@@michaelmills-composer5524 no problem. I'm not sold on the use of repetition, if I am to give a critique.

[@michaelmills-composer5524]

@@RachManJohn fair enough! If you’re interested, one of the goals of the repetition was to create an obsessive quality and to mimic the mental loops that can accompany grieving (at least for me personally)

[@RachManJohn]

@@michaelmills-composer5524 my main issue is not the obsessiveness (that came through great!) but rather the monolithic undevelopment of these sections, especially repeated so many times. It gives off a very different effect to analogous cases in Rzewski, for example. I would have enjoyed it if there's slight development, perhaps timing desynchronisation/phasing, because thought loops are rarely independent from each other - they compound.

[@ninadeuse_composer]

I turned up the volume at the Interpretation notes in the beginning and nearly died by a heart attack... worth it though, exceptional composition 👍✨️

[@michaelmills-composer5524]

Oh no! It does start with a bit of a bang lol Glad you enjoyed the piece

[@machida5114]

sodelicious...........................

[@michaelmills-composer5524]

I feel like I should screen shot this and put it on my CV haha Glad you enjoyed!

[@zacharydetrick7428]

Awesome piece Michael!

[@michaelmills-composer5524]

Thank you Zachary!