Reflections on the Nature of Water

Composer's Notes: “Reflections on the Nature of Water is a small payment toward a very large debt. There were primarily two composers, Debussy and Stravinsky, whose music affected me so profoundly during my tender formative years that I had no choice but to become a composer. It is to Debussy that I'd off my hat with these reflections of his magical preludes.

“Reflections on the Nature of Water is comprised of several short movements, each with a contrasting character. It was written for William Moersch, and with his counsel, for which I am indebted.”

Water can exist in many forms. Water can be fluid or unmovable, soft or hard, fleeting or stoic. Water is one of the most foundational building blocks of life, and yet we find ourselves often taking it for granted. In Jacob Druckman’s Reflections on the Nature of Water, he explores the possibilities water puts forth.

Each movement of Reflections on the Nature of Water is representative of the malleable properties of one of life’s most fundamental, yet essential building blocks. Druckman states that much of his inspiration for this piece comes from the works of Debussy, and in turn, Debussy’s fascination with Claude Monet’s paintings of Reflections on the Water.

There are many ways in which the works of Druckman is a reflection of Debussy. Debussy’s Images I and II are three movements each - Druckman’s Reflections are six movements. The order of these movements - “Crystalline,” “Fleet,” “Tranquil,” “Gently Swelling,” “Profound,” and “Relentless” - are purposely alternating in tone and function, so as to provide an ebb and flow of feelings throughout the duration of the piece.

Crystalline presents a series of small collections of sounds. Its beginning statement is indicative and reminiscent of small water droplets falling as a prelude to an impending rainfall. The term “crystalline” is itself a description of water, with its crystal-like structures at its most basic molecular levels. The sustained rolls that often connect one statement of sound to another are representative of water’s hydrophilic properties, and its ability to connect with other sources.

Fleet is ostentatious in its beginnings. As a reflection of water’s ability to bounce off hydrophobic substances as well as the tumultuous nature of large bodies of water, this movement often pushes forward and pulls back to create a series of swells. Water has the ability to quickly envelop any number of objects in its grasp.

Tranquil creates a feeling of ease, however it is not from its onset that this feeling is immediately present. Almost as a recall to the movement prior, the beginning statements of individual dissonances are indicative of water’s ability to quickly resolve itself to a state of calm. Much as a river flowing steadily on its surface, the undercurrents of this movement show how water, even at its most steadfast, can still, at the most minute levels, have the ability to create disruption and chaos.

Gently Swelling provides us with the first sense of flow in rhythm of the movements heard up to this point. This movement, with its statements of linear motion on the keyboard, allows us to feel the ability of water to differentiate itself in a single moment. The juxtaposition of statements going from vertical and interrupting to horizontal and flowing give us the sense of just how transient water can be.

Profound represents not so much the physical capabilities of water, but rather the abstract paradoxical feeling that water can provide us. It is the ability of water to both give life and take it away. It is both simple and complex in its chemical makeup. It is relaxing and alarming. The long lines of rolls and dissonances of this movement are reflective of humanity’s constant struggle and yearning for such a fundamental element of the world.

Relentless gives us the feeling that, no matter what, water is an essential part of the human experience. The physical properties of it, and its ability to exist in different states of matter mean that it is an omnipresent aspect of life. Just as the river flows, without substantial human interruption, it will continue to flow. This movement reminds us that water was here before us, and water will continue to be here after we are gone. It is part of us and it is part of the world that we live in.