solo Eb clarinet

Orchestration
solo Eb clarinet

Commissioned by
Anthony Kalanick

Program Notes
In the third Karate Kid movie, the main antagonist promotes a training system called "Quick Silver." It has three maxims:
 

1. A man can't stand, he can't fight.

2. A man can't breathe, he can't fight.

3. A man can't see, he can't fight.

​

These statements are the compositional basis of this piece. Each phrase is linked to specific musical components that act as motifs. The first phrase is associated with highly rhythmic runs and harsh attacks. Breathy multiphonics and growls are linked to the second phrase, while the third phrase is represented by extended tremolos and quarter tones.