The music of Curtis Rumrill explores the intersection of literary form and modern chamber music. His works with writer, naturalist and visual artist Zachary Webber tell darkly comic stories of animals in desperate or violent predicaments. He is also the composer of instrumental chamber music with and without electronics, works for tape, theater works and studio compositions (multi-track fixed media works composed on acoustic instruments played primarily by himself).

 

The Passion of the Wilt-Mold Mothers

2016 (sop, sop, sop, mezzo) performed by Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble 42’00”

Prelude

Part I, Where the mold comes

Interlude I

Part II, Which describes an unpleasant dream, and other things

Part III, A plea for the impossible

Interlude II

Part IV, The part about the eating

Part V, Hymn and soliloquy

 

Chamber Works with Voice

 

Songs of an Unnamed Kingdom – 2019 (cl, tbn, sop, sop, sop, mezzo, perc, vln, vc) performed by Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble and Eco Ensemble 15’00”

 

In this Styrofoam Room – 2017 (fl, ob, cl, sop, vln, vc) performed by Kamratōn 8’00”

The Long Hibernation – 2013 (sax, perc, sop, pno, vln) performed by Ensemble Dal Niente 15’00”

Sex Poem for Lightbulb by Beetle – 2012 (sop, fl, gtr, perc i, perc ii) for soundSCAPE Festival, Liz Pearce, soprano10’00”

The Parasite, and Her Mother – 2015 (perc, sop, pno) for Aiyun Huang, Tony Arnold and Thomas Rosenkranz 7’30”

Rover – 2016 (fl, sax, vln, sop i, sop ii, pno, perc i, perc ii) for Tony Arnold and Alia Musica 22’30”

The Parasite, and Her Sister – 2015 (perc, sop, e gtr, vln, vc) performed by Ensemble Dal Niente 15’00”

The Haddock – 2012 (fl, bari sax, trm, perc i, perc ii, pno, sop, vln, vc ) Liz Pearce, soprano 13’30”

 

Instrumental Works with Electronics

 

The Triptych Part I – 2012 (trombone and tape) with Juna Winston 8’30”

Lupe Prometió a la Virgen – 2011 (trombone and guitar pedals) performed by Juna Winston 9’30”

 

Instrumental Chamber and Solo Works

She Was a Municipal Band – 2010 (saxophone quartet) 5’15”

Tra le Stella – 2011 (solo guitar) 6’30”

For Mother – 2011 (solo flute) 4’30”

Il Missionario – 2010 (fl, snare) 2’00”

Eyeballs Big – 2005 (fl, sop sax) 6’45”

Sketch for Guitar – 2004 (solo guitar) performed by the composer 4’45”

 

Tape Pieces

 

The Triptych Part I – 2012 (tape only) 8’30”

The Triptych Part II – 2014 (tape only) 11’00”

Bear on Hi-Hat, Roach on Snare, Kitty on Purr, with a Squeeze-Box Solo by Yours Truly – 2011 (tape) 3’00”

Memory, the Deformer – 2011 (tape) 7’30”

I’ll Go Charging up that Hill, Again – 2010 (tape) 3’20”