My Twentieth Century

Martin Bresnick's My Twentieth Century, one of the most frequently performed of his recent chamber ensemble pieces, is the result of an unusual collaboration between Bresnick and poet Tom Andrews. The idea was developed by the composer and poet when they were in residence at the American Academy in Rome in 1999. It asks the six players of the Pierrot Lunaire-size ensemble to read the words of Andrew's poignant and humorous tribute to the uniqueness of the last century, to the audience and each other. The words, by turns touching and funny, are matched by Bresnick's subtle and haunting music, which rises and falls with occasionally climactic outbursts sinking away to near inaudibility. In 2006, Bresnick recast the Viola part for Marimba (sold separately) for a tour by the stellar new music group Eighth Blackbird which has played the work on tour throughout the United States.