Performance: Shepherd School of Music orchestra conducted by Ben Manis. March 22nd, 2019

 

Duration:  ca. 7 min

 

Instrumentation: 

2222/221/harp/keys/2 perc/strings

 

Program Note:

 

House of Stairs is inspired by a 1951 M.C. Escher lithograph print of the same name. The piece captures the three-dimensionality and contortion of perspective from the print by alternating, superimposing, and developing low, rhythmically energetic music and high, sparkling, ethereal music. The scurrying woodwinds in the music are like the strange creatures running along the infinitely circling staircases in the print.