CULTIVATED SPACES: ‘Between the Lines’ by Scott Lee

Commissioned by Copland House for its CULTIVATE 2020 emerging composers institute, Between the Lines by Scott Lee explores the idea of a “groove” that is both patiently-developing and incessant. The colorful and noisy flourish that opens the piece is relentlessly repeated to form this groove. A wandering melody, shared among the three instruments, slithers in between the grid of pulses formed by the repeated opening flourish – hence the title. The music charts a journey of this tune, as it returns in many guises, always accompanied by the pulse, and eventually leads to a raucous climax. Ghostly echoes follow, but once again the opening flourish slowly begins to dominate the texture, bringing the piece to a boisterous close.

Please join Music from Copland House (hailed by The Los Angeles Times for its “beautifully and seductively played” performances) for the Virtual Premiere of this vibrant new work. Featured Music from Copland House artists:  Pala Garcia, violin; Alexis Pia Gerlach, cello; and Margaret Kampmeier, violin. Includes a brief introduction by the composer, and a post-performance Q&A with CULTIVATE’s Director, Grammy-nominated composer-clarinetist Derek Bermel.

(image: composer, Scott Lee)