Clutch Of Venus: I. Velvet Teeth (Aurum Quartet) by Matthew Recio

The venus flytrap is a unique carnivorous plant that lures its prey through its physical and chemical components, resulting in consumption. These plants have a sensuous quality to them that I wanted to highlight in my piece, Clutch of Venus. The first movement paints the scene of the chaos that ensues in the jungle, constant fear from becoming preyed upon. The second movement creates a calm, almost static introduction that represents the stagnant quality of these plants. The overlaying melody depicts the sensual allure that these plants possess. As the motives develop, the harmonic and rhythmic material becomes complex culminating to a final “snapping” motion of the plant. The piece ends on the opening motive but displaced in a higher register to remind us of the looming, inevitable consumptions to come.