Offsprings of Wrath

Written between late 2013 and the beginning of 2014 in Barcelona, Offsprings of Wrath is the clearest example of the artistic and aesthetic worries I had at the time. It was a work which aimed to control high levels of musical complexity and density, since I considered that they were necessary features in order to create a meaningful piece of art. The intention was to create a lasting work with many layers to be listened and interpreted by the audience, containing diverse symbolic allusions and cryptic musical elements which relationships were veiled; but at the same time, all the elements were carefully structured in order to create an impactful first impression on the listener.

Nevertheless, that quest for musical density and complexity had a more essential reason: an expressive need. As I stated in the original programme notes:

“Tension and restlessness, the density of the elements and their roughness are constant in the piece. Even in the moments of apparent tranquillity, there is a latent halo of choleric fervour. [...] Wrath is the concept that englobes all the poetic and symbolic implications of the piece.”

Although apparently perceivable due to the energetic and aggressive nature of the music, the concept of “wrath” is conceived in an abstract and symbolic way, leaving up to the discretion of the audience its actual meaning and relationship with the music.

Offsprings of Wrath received the 3^rd Prize of the contest for young composers of the SGAE-CNDM Foundation in 2014.