paul novak composer
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paul novak composer
blimunda songs (2017) for pierrot ensemble
blimunda songs is a set of 4 miniatures for pierrot ensemble. While each of these pieces evokes a different mood and character, they are also unified by subtle recurring details: gestures and harmonies that reemerge in each movement, fragments of melodic material that persistently reappear. Although this is not a programmatic work by any means, the title references José Saramago’s novel Baltasar and Blimunda, which contrasts harsh realism with wonder and suffering with humor. I attempted to capture these juxtapositions in the four movements of this piece. The first movement places long sustained chords side by side with quick descending gestures; the second is a dance-like scherzo; the third uses fragmented constellations of sound against breathy backdrop; and the fourth literally and figuratively echoes the first three movements.
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blimunda songs is scored for flute (doubling piccolo), clarinet in Bb, violin, cello, percussion, and piano, and was written as a part of Atlantic Music Festival in 2017. 
Picture
The AMF Contemporary Ensembles premieres blimunda songs July 2017

selected performances
March 2020 ​— Paul Novak's Senior Recital, conducted by Joshua Hong, Rice University, Houston, TX
March 2019 — 
Shepherd School of Music Composition Undergrad Recital, Rice University, Houston, TX
March 2019 — Faculty of Webster University, Community Music School of Webster University, St. Louis, MO 
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September 2018 —  SCI National Conference, members of IU New Music Ensemble, Bloomington, IN
February 2018 — Ensemble Ibis, Frost School of Music, Miami, FL
July 2017 — AMF Contemporary Ensemble, Atlantic Music Festival, Waterville, ME (premiere) 

selected honors 
Webster University 2018 Young Composer’s Competition -- First Prize
SCI 2018 National Conference Call for Scores — Chosen Submission
Frost 2018 Composition Competition — First Prize 
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