Confronting Chaos

Ben Robichaux

General Info

Year: 2022
Duration: c. 15:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Murphy Music Press
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $300.00 | Score Only (print) - $50.00

Movements

1. Prelude - 2:30
2. The Greater Good - 4:40
3. Restoration - 2:50
4. Non-Compliance - 4:20

Instrumentation (Flexible)

Full Score
Part 1

Flute
Oboe
B-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Trumpet

Part 2

B-flat Soprano Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet
Horn in F

Part 3

Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet
Horn in F
Trombone

Part 4

Bassoon
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
Trombone
Euphonium

Part 5

B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Tuba

Timpani
Percussion, including:

Bass Drum
Snare Drum

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Confronting Chaos catalogs different types of hardships that communities face together. While I envisioned the specific struggles of my own community when writing these movements, I hope the overall narrative of the piece is relatable to everyone.

The opening movement titled Prelude acts as a dark and reluctant introduction. The movement is a reflection of the entire work’s bleak and tumultuous aesthetic.

Movement II titled The Greater Good was influenced by our exhausting shared battle with the coronavirus pandemic. In this movement, the opposing force is the virus, which is a somewhat abstract enemy. In dealing with this enemy, however, opposition is created within a community that is attempting to deal with the disease collectively, while sharing contrasting viewpoints and priorities. This movement contains moments of triumph achieved in unconventional ways that demonstrate that when a community faces a common enemy it also has to deal with unpleasant internal conflict.

Movement III titled Restoration is a depiction of a community in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster. As a south Louisiana native, I have experienced this in the wake of major hurricanes. Upon returning from evacuating from Hurricane Ida in 2021, there was a haunting and desolate calmness. Entire towns were destroyed, but significant generosity got the area back on its feet. I have found that natural disasters trigger an innate good in people, leading them to go above and beyond for their community members. This movement seeks to capture the desolation left behind by nature’s destruction but also celebrates the triumph of collective kindness.

Movement IV titled Non-Compliance is a more aggressive take on communal teamwork. While on paper it is “wrong” to disobey our superiors in our society, it can be morally righteous to do so, especially when dealing with unreasonable or vindictive politicians or with power-hungry law enforcement. Oftentimes a community has to be repaired from within, and dismantling injustice perpetuated by individuals that we should trust is a difficult but necessary step. The movement is the most conflicted in the piece, but the resolution creates a release of tension that ultimately leads to a triumphant conclusion.

– Program Note by composer

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
Audio: Reference recording. Nicholls Wind Ensemble (Ben Robichaux, conductor)

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Nicholls State University (Thibodaux, La.) Wind Ensemble (Jason Ladd, conductor) – 25 February 2022 (CBDNA 2022 Southern Conference, Columbia, S.C.)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Confronting Chaos (Flex instrumentation) (2022)

All Wind Works

As the Lights Go Out (2019)
Confronting Chaos (Flex instrumentation) (2022)
Distant Mist (2012)
The Elusive Forest Spirit (2015)
Glimmer and Flash (2016)
Hymns for the Cardinals (2014)
Light Pillars 92014)
Static Clouds (2016)
Surging Home (2019)
Virgil's Descent (2012)

Resources

Ben Robichaux website Accessed 23 March 2022
Creative Repertoire Initiative