POD-Nico Muhly's Pulses Cycles Clouds for large mixed Percussion ensemble was written for the 50th anniversary of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. At its core it is a group of four marimbas surrounded by various bells and other mallet instruments; unpitched instruments here are primarily played by an ensemble of amateur percussionists. The piece obsesses over a cycle of eleven chords introduced slowly through the beginning of the piece. Each chord is announced by a large vertical moment with bells vibraphone and a sudden shift in tonality. The four marimbas then relax into a series of soft interlockingpatterns over which an ensemble of glockenspiels and crotales plays a simple rhythm in a complex relationship to the other instruments. Eventually the pulse disintegrates entirely into a vision of a night sky; insects unexpected interruptions - a walk around a quiet landscape. Eventually the pulse returns but nocturnally subdued. The piece is meant to echo in its way the thrill of community music making the joy of sharing a pulse and the various connections both rhythmic and interpersonal I made at BUTI two decades ago. - Nico Muhly
