Instrumentation: cello and violin
Description: Climbing the Caterpillar Tower is a violin/cello duo inspired by the Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus. Hope for the Flowers is a story that depicts two caterpillars, Stripe and Yellow, who are on an impossible quest: They want to scale to the top of a squirming, sky-high tower composed of other caterpillars who are striving to make it to the top. If this sounds confusing, it’s because it really is. Once at the top, Stripe and Yellow realize that nothing is there; all of the caterpillars had been killing themselves in this treacherous climb with no real purpose other than pure ambition. Deflated, the two caterpillars safely returning to solid ground, where they ponder the meaning of life, ruminate about their purpose, eventually chrysallize (which they fear is actually dying), and emerge as butterflies. This duo represents that journey, from ambitious caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, flying away and embracing a simpler kind of happiness and trust in nature.
The main motif (D-A-D-C-A-E) of this piece is based on the musical letters in the original performers' names: DAVID and CHRYSANTHE.
"Climbing the Caterpillar Tower" - MFA Grad Recital - 4/25/17