Caffeine & Ibuprofen

Caffeine & Ibuprofen reflects the overwhelming feeling of having too much to do while also battling through a horrible headache. The piece captures the constant tension of trying to keep moving forward when you feel drained.

The irregular 7/8 time signature gives the music a sense of imbalance, trying to constantly catch up. Additionally, the tritone, known as the “devil's interval,” is used throughout to create a feeling of discomfort. Between these thick, dissonant moments, there are brief moments of clarity, but they're quickly overtaken by the tension again. The piece is a representation of pushing through, even when everything feels heavy and you just want a break.

This piece was written for the Penn State Young Composers Institute. Special thanks to Gabriel Newvine and Dr. Baljinder Sekhon. I am grateful to everyone who has contributed to this piece. It would not have been the same without the suggestions edits from my teachers, peers, family, and friends.

Recorded by the PSU-YCI Ensemble

Clarinet: Cassidy Miao

Oboe: Claire Brown

Piano: Yucheng Xu