Earth and Green (Clint Needham)

“The only thing I care about is the expression of man's basic emotions: tragedy, ecstasy, destiny."
                  - Mark Rothko
         
“Mark Rothko’s paintings have always fascinated me. The profound, yet understated ideas found in his works have continually inspired me to create as well as reflect. In Earth and Green I have attempted to musically capture both the essence and the literal elements found in Rothko’s work of the same title. In the painting Earth and Green there are two sections: hues of reds and hues of greens. The bold, red “Earth” in the painting, which I have entitled Enticing Fires, conveys to me a great struggle full of anxiety, fear, anguish, and rage. This opening movement propels forward by layering sections atop one another as well as condensing them until sudden shifts occur in the music. Throughout this movement “screams” emerge from the texture which symbolizes my own personal life struggles, as well Rothko’s. The peaceful “Green” in the painting, entitled Calm Reflections, transcends all trials and tribulations previously expressed. This movement evokes the reward for overcoming these struggles; both during life, as well as in the hereafter. The juxtaposition of these two extremes, as well as the form and balance of the painting are reflected in the music.”