Programme Notes – Deep Brain Stimulation (2025)

Deep Brain Stimulation (or DBS) is a treatment used for Parkinson’s and related conditions and uses a small medical device to stimulate specific areas of the brain. To express this musically I have, over the course of three minutes outlined a transition from material that is spasmodic and unpredictable to something far more measured and focussed. The moment of ‘stimulation’ manifests itself in a calm rising motif that first appears halfway through the piece and controls the musical material to the end. Harmonically there is a tangible release of tension that adds to the transformation that brings stasis and hope.