Museday Tuesday

As part of this feature, which I started in 2007, I compose a very brief work (under 30 seconds) inspired by a randomly generated title from an online word generator or suggested by a reader. The composition can be for any instrumentation, and could even be a purely synthesized realization that might not be possible to perform in the real world.

I work on the excerpt continuously for an hour and then post whatever I've managed to complete, even if it could be the hit single from Glenn Gould Plays Tatu.

Thickset: (adj.) Having a solid, stocky form or body; stout.

This tune is written for a couple recorders backed by an organ and harpsichord, and supported by the stodgy mud of baritone saxophones. It's in A Flat Minor because that's what you'd get if a thickset person fell down a mineshaft.

As a new feature for Museday 2011, you can now suggest your favourite adjectives in the comments section. On some occasions when the random word generator just isn't making the cut, I may use your word to inspire! You will even get 5% of the royalties for the thirty-second excerpt, which currently works out to $0 per year.