Program Note
trans•noesis for saxophone quartet was written for the Quanta Quartet’s Australian tour in 2014. The work is based on activity that takes place just beyond the observable human senses. The title means, "to move through or across the perception of the mind," and for this purpose, doing so without attracting the attention of the conscious mind, only the subconscious. Noesis, taken from classic Greek philosophy is related to the nous. Nous is a noun that describes intellect or intelligence and noesis is the actions of the nous. The nous is necessary for understanding what is true or real.
We often know that we are in danger before we can see or hear what that danger is. There’s someone lurking in a shadow too dark to see, there’s a predator walking too quiet to hear. The melodic content of trans•noesis is obscured by dynamics, texture, interruptive silence, or noise. It is there, but not accessible to our conscious minds.
— Jamie Leigh Sampson
We often know that we are in danger before we can see or hear what that danger is. There’s someone lurking in a shadow too dark to see, there’s a predator walking too quiet to hear. The melodic content of trans•noesis is obscured by dynamics, texture, interruptive silence, or noise. It is there, but not accessible to our conscious minds.
— Jamie Leigh Sampson
Reproduction Notice:
This program note may be freely reproduced in concert programs, provided that proper credit is given to the composer.
This program note may be freely reproduced in concert programs, provided that proper credit is given to the composer.