BITE THE BULLET

(Windependence Artist Level). Bite the Bullet by Mexican-American composer Jorge Machain was named 2019-2020 winner of acclaimed The American Prize for music, in addition to being a finalist in the 2018 NBA Revelli competition. The work was inspired by a painting by Venetian artist, Carlo Marchiori, which depicts two Pulcinelli (Venetian clowns) engaged in a gun battle. As the bullets meet in the middle of the scene, a colorful and vibrant cloudburst is created. Using a unique sonic color scheme, the brass and percussion portray the gunshots, while the woodwind flourishes emulate the painter's vibrant brush strokes. Commissined and recorded by the UNLV Wind Orchestra Thomas G. Leslie, conductor, featured on the Klavier recording Quarternity K11123.