Alternative Energy (composition)


Alternative Energy is a symphony for electronica and orchestra in four movements by the American composer Mason Bates. The work was commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, for whom Bates was then composer-in-residence. It was premiered by the orchestra under conductor Riccardo Muti at Symphony Center in Chicago, February 2, 2012.

Composition

Inspiration

Similar to Bates's first symphony Liquid Interface, Alternative Energy chronicles environmental devastation of the Earth over a large timespan. Bates described the meaning of the work in the score program notes, writing:

Structure

The symphony has a duration of roughly 25 minutes and is composed in four movements:
  1. Ford's Farm, 1896
  2. Chicago, 2012
  3. Xinjiang Province, 2112
  4. Reykjavik, 2222

Instrumentation

Alternative Energy is scored for electronica and orchestra, comprising three flutes, three oboes, three clarinets, three bassoons, four French horns, three trumpets, two trombones, bass trombone, tuba, three percussionists, harp, piano, and strings.

Reception

Reviewing the world premiere, John von Rhein of the Chicago Tribune praised the mature accessibility of the piece, despite noting, "While I found the piece enjoyable and entertaining, I do wish Bates would dig deeper harmonically, challenge himself and his audience rather more. Navigating the fine line between accessibility and complexity, he continues to opt too readily for the former, in my view." Lawrence A. Johnson of the Chicago Classical Review similarly criticized the work. Despite lauding an "engaging, artless audacity" to Bates's music, Johnson wrote:
Joshua Kosman of the San Francisco Chronicle was more positive, however, describing the symphony as "fantastic" and opining, "Bates writes music that is simultaneously old-fashioned in its outlook and bracingly new in its demeanor, and it satisfies the same urge for accessible novelty that people find in the other arts."