Sense of Place

Dysregulated, stressed, desperate, out-of-place, suffering, disallowed, depressed…

This is how the work begins with one of the clarinets. Another one joins in sympathy trying to first feel their partner’s feelings and then slowly the two voices form a peaceful union near the end of the work and co-regulate to calm state.

A ‘sense of place’ can be described as a collection of qualities and characteristics that provide meaning to one’s relationship with a location. This clarinet duo by the same name explores this recurring feeling that one gets when visiting a space. The piece opens with a solo voice in a frantic state. Gradually, a second voice echoes the main voice all around the stage. Various spatial and temporal relationships between the two musicians are explored. By the end, the two unique voices embrace peacefully, suggesting that relationships with others impact one’s sense of space.