Ponder Nothing
1989
Program Note
Ponder Nothing (1989), is a set of solo clarinet variations on the traditional French hymn “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.” If the hymn gives voice to Johnston’s Catholicism, the title, taken from the hymn’s third line－”Ponder nothing earthly minded”－refers to his interest in the no-mind meditation of Zen.
About Ben Johnston
American composer of mostly stage, chamber, choral, and vocal works that have been performed throughout the world. He is widely recognized for generalizing Harry Partch’s system of Just Intonation (proportional…