We’re excited to feature Annika Willow on our upcoming concert WEST CHESTER PARTNERS on November 6th and 9th where we will be premiering her piece Small, Flickering Lights for flute, clarinet, electric guitar, cello, vibraphone, and piano. Annika currently studies composition at West Chester University. Let’s get to know her!
What has your journey been like up to this point? What is your musical background?
After completing a Bachelor of Music in Composition at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, I have worked to continually evolve and challenge myself, both in solo work and interdisciplinary collaborations. I’ve formed fruitful ties to the contemporary theatrical circus world, as both performer and composer, presenting works across North America. My recorded work includes releases as a solo artist and in progressive rock band The Apple Zed. It’s my strong belief that the best art does not fit neatly into any one box, but draws from across lines of genre and tradition.
What are you listening to right now?
"The Flood" by Leprous - Leprous are a band with an approach to rhythm that is elegant in the purest sense, of feeling complex yet inevitable at the same time. The metric dissonance of the ostinato bass builds such tension throughout, until it is finally released after the final chorus.
"Arriving Somewhere But Not Here" by Porcupine Tree - A masterclass in long form rock song structure, it finds startling depth in two simple chords, then takes an extended and striking departure before returning to that two-chord core, transformed into pure catharsis.
"Shofukan" by Snarky Puppy - As I am currently working on a piece for the WCU big band The Criterions, I find Snarky Puppy to be a perfect touchstone for combining harder, more rock-inflected edges with jazz and improvisation. This piece in particular is such a satisfying journey.
"Fratres" (for cello and piano) by Arvo Part - As with all the best minimalist music, this is a piece that is so easy to get lost inside. The hypermeter of the harmonic motion is so satisfyingly fluid, yet always feels completely natural.
"... Another Hundred People" by Steven Sondheim - The more I explore the world of musical theatre, the more clear it is that no one has had quite the gift Sondheim had for making the most bizarre and lyrical and melodic shapes fit perfectly together. He manages to make the clever and intellectual feel intuitive and emotional in such a beautiful way.
You have two chances to hear Annika’s piece Small, Flickering Lights performed by the Network ensemble - November 6th at West Chester University and November 9th at Settlement Music School in Germantown.
