Maelstrom

Maelstrom is an orchestral work dramatically searching and constructed with furious declaiming lines and phrases that echo in the ears. The orchestration is full of psychologically penetrating effects with theatrical good sense and well-paced jagged energy that is beguiling in its elusiveness. The language flirts with traditional polytonality with power and distorted phrases that are truncated in their searchings. Stark colors and heavy textures are wrenching in its raw, unblinking power full of tension and crafty climaxes of drama and a compelling mix of blasting power and attractive grandeur in its cinematic sweep.