david lang sunray
for six players full score CopyrightbyRicordiNewYork
© 2006 by Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP) International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved. RNY 1139
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instrumentation
clarinet cello
piano
percussion - vibraphone, glockenspiel, snare drum, drum set with no cymbals
electric guitar
bass I started thinking about writing a piece called Sunray in 2006, while in residence at MASS MoCA. That summer, my family was staying in the MASS MoCA artist housing in North Adams, which is next door to the SUN cleaners. Every morning I would wake up, make a cup of coffee, and stare out the window at the rays of the sun on the cleaner's big neon sign. Even on rainy mornings I woke up to the rays of the sun.
While looking every morning at these artificial rays I remembered a story I had read about the origins of the Washington Monument. Apparently that shape – the 4 sided pyramid obelisk – is a Masonic sign, intended to represent a shaft of sunlight, made physical. I began to recognize in this the form for my piece – a ray of light, beginning ephemerally and gradually becoming more and more solid.
The piece is dedicated to my father, Daniel Lang, on his 80th birthday.
sunray was premiered by the Bang on a Can All-Stars on 22 July 2006, at Mass MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts
the duration is about 11 minutes