Fl/Alto Fl, Cl, B. Cl, Vln, Vla, Vc, Cb, Pno, 3 Per

“Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you. You must travel it by yourself. It is not far. It is within reach. Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know. Perhaps it is everywhere – on water and land.” – Walt Whitman

“On Water and Land” for the NYU Contemporary Music Ensemble is an exploration of soundscapes created by the unique instrumentation used within the piece. Combining traditional orchestral elements alongside the use of some more contemporary techniques, a gently flowing transition from one texture to another is created. The piece is originally inspired by Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman combines a balance between swelling “water” tones and heavily rhythmic earthy, or “land” tones.