Into the Depths

Description

Composer Matt Arnett describes “Into the Depths” as “fierce,” and you will understand this as soon as you hear the first notes. Energetic and aggressive, this piece drives forward from beginning to end.

Program Notes

Kraken. Leviathan. Sea Serpents. For centuries, sailors around the world have traded legends of their fantastic encounters when voyaging beyond the edge of the map. Some of these tales were simply exotic entertainment; others were explanations for lost ships or strange, but misunderstood, marine life. Regardless, the deep, dark, abyssal expanse that we call the ocean has inspired human curiosity – and fear – for generations.

We have mapped more of the surface of Mars than we have the ocean floor. While we are confident that the ship-eating sea monsters from the Age of Exploration are myths, there is much we don’t know about life on the ocean floor. For instance, giant squids do exist, but usually remain at depths of at least 1000 meters so opportunities to observe their behavior is scant.

But, you and your orchestra don’t know that the Kraken isn’t real. You are a 16th century merchant vessel on the open seas. A storm brews above… and it seems something else stirs beneath. Will you be able to stay the course and navigate to safer waters, or will you be forever lost to the waves?