Goodnight Irene

for four electric guitars
2011
duration 15 minutes

Based on the well-known American folk song, this piece strings together variations on the original, using a variety of tuning systems and indeterminate notations. The resulting narrative reflects the song’s evolution over time, from Leadbelly’s original, to “censored” versions and use by everyone from Dr. John to a Bristol fight song. More background info here.

Premiere February 2011, Issue Project Room, Brooklyn (Dither)