Behind the Universe

BEHIND THE UNIVERSE

J. A. J. Sedarski

Published by SedarskiMusic (ASCAP)

Duration ca. 5:00 min

2021 finalist for the American Prize

Copyright © 2025 J. A. J. Sedarski/ SedarskiMusic/ ASCAP All Rights Reserved.

Instrumentation

Violin 1

Violin 2

Viola

Cello

Double bass

Program Note

What happened in the beginning of the universe? Over the past couple of centuries, tremendous strides have been made to answer this question, and modern science has offered interesting clarity on the beginning of everything. After the Big Bang, space expands and energy cools, revealing the structure of matter and the beauty of newly developed objects. In Behind the Universe, I wanted to reflect on these new discoveries through music and demonstrate the power, expanse, and breathtaking beauty we know the cosmos to be.

The piece begins right before the Big Bang, frantic figures appear in all voices as energy bounces intensely from figure to figure. Suddenly, there is a burst of energy unlike the previous gestures and so symbolizes the singularity of the Big Bang. After this point, the voices slowly calm, and individual gestures become recognizable. Harmony is introduced along with repeated figures, dynamic contrast, and expanded ranges. The piece ends with the introduction of a single melody hinting at the music to come.

BEHINDTHEUNIVERSE

“Showing a deeper understanding of harmony” (Boston Musical Intelligencer) J. A. J. Sedarski (b. 2000) is a composer whose music blends bold, dramatic gestures with moments of striking intimacy. Drawing inspiration from his Mexican heritage, real-life events, and the natural world, his work resonates with personal depth and expressive range.

Sedarski began composing at 14, sparked by a dusty family piano tucked in the corner of his home. By 15, he earned his first credit writing incidental music for a production of The Vagina Monologues at the Rochester Civic Center. At 19, he received his first commission from the Boston-based Juventas New Music Ensemble—an artistic relationship that continues to this day and includes three concert hall world premieres.

His music has been performed by the MIVOS Quartet, Argento Reading Ensemble, Boston University Symphony Orchestra, Boston University Chamber Orchestra, ALLEA III, Sound Icon, and Juventas New Music Ensemble. He has studied under composers Rodney Lister, Joshua Fineberg, and John Wallace.

In his first year at Boston University, he won the 2020 Composition Competition for Variants for Orchestra. In 2022, he received an achievement award from Luke Hill’s composition studio for Gradus ad Paradisum, was named a 2021 finalist for the American Prize for Behind the Universe, and a 2024 finalist for the American Prize for Between Our Breaths We Sing. In 2023, he debuted his first monodrama, Sentience, inspired by contemporary developments in A.I., at Boston University’s School of Music. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition from Boston University College of Fine Arts.

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