on fear

(2025)

For Electronics and Explore Ensemble

Composed and Mixed by Gabrielle Dalsan

Premiered at The Royal College of Music, London (2025).

‘On Fear’ is a piece written for chamber ensemble and electronics. Based on Krishna Murti’s speech on fear, along with his book titled ‘On Fear’, my composition was created to deliver the same message to an audience of people. The work uses choreography and live music, set to the electronic track, to showcase the destructive narrative of the mind, fear and our running thoughts.

The ensemble acts as an amateur group of musicians, preparing for a rehearsal. The Cellist is the ‘main character’, and the attention of the group is turned towards the cellist throughout the performance. As the piece progresses, it becomes evident the group is simply an ‘echo chamber’ of the Cellists mind – they are a metaphor for the thoughts that create fear within a person. The musical writing is kept very simple in order to convey an ‘amateurish’ feel, but also to allow the audience to pay more attention to the deeper message underlying the piece.

When we observe our thoughts for what they area, no matter how overbearing, they eventually begin to dissipate - leaving us just with ourselves. Here, we experience an expansive stillness, silence and peace. As the piece unfolds, the ensemble (thoughts) slowly intensify until the cellist faces the group. Here, they begin the leave the stage, until the cellist is left alone with just herself.