The Genasi: A Piece For String Orchestra Inspired By Bill Viola’s “Fire Woman”

The Genasi is a piece for string orchestra inspired by Bill Viola’s visual art installation titled “Fire Woman”. The installation features “the vision of a female figure whose dark figure stands in front of a wall of flames” and “advances by spreading their arms to finally sink into a pattern of glowing waves.” The slow-moving figure of the woman, the water, and the fire will each have their own section and distinct musical materials (pitches, rhythms, textures, registers, etc.) before returning to a prominent motive within the bass. I explore patterns and techniques that I have developed in my compositional style such as using triadic variation, simple rhythms, and frequent use of repetitive motives. Sudden cut-offs, interruptions, and juxtaposition are prominent features in my writing. The figure of the woman is characterized by a slowly developing motive. Turning into water is represented by a fast paced, high-register section with a quick cut-off. Finally, the fire, which is present throughout the entire installation, is portrayed using repetitive motives, sparse instrumentation, and the use of the low register. By using these methods, I have created a piece that contributes to both the minimalist aesthetic and the body of works for string orchestra.