Resting on Withered Laurels

 

2025

Piece for horn, violin, viola and double bass

​9’30“

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Thomas Adrian Mittler - horn

Giorgos Panagiotidis - violin

Megumi Kasakawa - viola

Paul Cannon - double bass

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The idea for this piece comes from my association of the horn with its historical role as a signaling instrument. Often used to convey victory, alarm, or command - shaping sound into calls that carried power, urgency, and presence - the horn has long been bound to notions of heroism, the hunt and conquest. Opposed to these loud, attention-seeking calls, Resting on Withered Laurels sounds calm and restrained. The horn doesn’t take the lead as a solo instrument, but instead becomes part of an ensemble that is connected with each other and the space. Here, the instruments slowly move and softly sound together. They don’t aim to impose or impress, but to express gentle and fragile voices of care and interconnection. In between they rest - letting go and opening a space to listen and breathe. On the withered laurels of triumph and prestige, unheard voices quietly bloom.

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Written in 2025 for Ensemble Modern as part of the IYCA Ticino.