Matt Browne

I Have Seen the Future

$95.00

Duration: 17'

Instrumentation: Orchestra (2(2picc).2.2.2 2/2.2.0.0/hp/timp.1perc/str)

Delivery Method: Physical Delivery
Performance Materials: Full Score

I Have Seen the Future, Matt Browne (2025) 17'
for chamber orchestra

Winner of the 2024 Summermusik Kreitler Competition

This piece draws inspiration from multiple, yet interconnected, sources. First and foremost, I’ve long wanted to create music that pays homage to the film and television scores of the late ’50s through the ’60s – works by composers like Bernard Herrmann, early Jerry Goldsmith, Alex North, Quincy Jones, and Marius Constant. The scores of that era had a bold, brash dissonance and a raw, unpolished edge, punctuated by lush melodies and bizarre textures. Compared to the grand, sweeping orchestrations of earlier decades, they carried a grittier, more pulpy sensibility.



Another key inspiration came from a museum exhibit on the 1939 World’s Fair in Flushing, NY. Among the artifacts was a simple pinback button with the phrase “I Have Seen the Future” printed on it. I’ve always been fascinated by how past generations envisioned the future – and how often their boldest predictions ended up being wildly off the mark.




Structurally, this piece is designed like a 1960s science fiction short story anthology. Each movement is inspired by historical writings on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics – topics more relevant now than ever. These writings range from the existential to the dizzyingly optimistic to the outright apocalyptic. By weaving these perspectives together, the piece underscores a single, fundamental truth: that no one really knows what comes next.


Movements:
I. Darwin Among the Machines
II. Robbie
III. Supertoys Last All Summer Long
IV. I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream
V. All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace


Instrumentation: 2(2picc).2.2.2 2/2.2.0.0/hp/timp.1perc/str


Orchestral performance parts are available via rental.


Click here for a rental quote.


 


		              

		                
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JAT-105-018-FS

					

		    

			

		

  





	
	

			

		
Delivery Method: Physical Delivery

			
			



		
Performance Materials: Full Score

			



			
		
				
				

					
				  

				    
				  

				

			












	

		

	





	

		

			

	

      
About the Work

			
				
					

                      
                      
                      
                      
                      

				
              
              

              

                

				
                
                  
                
Duration: 17'

                  
                
                
                  
                
Movements:
I. Darwin Among the Machines

II. Robbie

III. Supertoys Last All Summer Long

IV. I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

V. All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace

                 
                


                

                
                  
                
Instrumentation: Orchestra (2(2picc).2.2.2 2/2.2.0.0/hp/timp.1perc/str)

                 
                 
                
                  
                
Commissioned by: Commissioned by Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Reno Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, and Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle.

                
                
                  	
                

              

              
                  
                    
                      
                    
                      
                   
					

     
              

			

                
                  
                     This piece draws inspiration from multiple, yet interconnected, sources. First and foremost, I’ve long wanted to create music that pays homage to the film and television scores of the late ’50s through the ’60s – works by composers like Bernard Herrmann, early Jerry Goldsmith, Alex North, Quincy Jones, and Marius Constant. The scores of that era had a bold, brash dissonance and a raw, unpolished edge, punctuated by lush melodies and bizarre textures. Compared to the grand, sweeping orchestrations of earlier decades, they carried a grittier, more pulpy sensibility.

Another key inspiration came from a museum exhibit on the 1939 World’s Fair in Flushing, NY. Among the artifacts was a simple pinback button with the phrase “I Have Seen the Future” printed on it. I’ve always been fascinated by how past generations envisioned the future – and how often their boldest predictions ended up being wildly off the mark.

Structurally, this piece is designed like a 1960s science fiction short story anthology. Each movement is inspired by historical writings on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics – topics more relevant now than ever. These writings range from the existential to the dizzyingly optimistic to the outright apocalyptic. By weaving these perspectives together, the piece underscores a single, fundamental truth: that no one really knows what comes next.
                  

                
                  
                    
                   
					

     
              

						
      
                  
                    
                    
						
					

     
              

						
						
                  
                    
                    
					

     
              

                
                  

                

                
                  
						
ISMN: 979-0-094-00847-1

                

                

                
                


                    

                  
                
                  
                          
Pages: 113