burnt trees will never unburn - for sax quartet (score video)

burnt trees will never unburn is a work for saxophone quartet that is structurally based on the experience of my once close-knit maternal extended family very quickly falling apart as a result of manipulation and distrust. As lies spread from one family member, the rest of the family isolates from each other, unable to trust or understand anyone but themselves, or the story that is most convenient for them. By the end of the work, the family no longer exists as what was once a single entity, but two related yet opposing forces. The title refers not necessarily to literal trees, but family trees, and the idea that once trust is broken to a level that threatens the security of other loved ones, it is impossible to rekindle it.
Recorded by Project Fusion:
Dannel Espinoza, sop. sax
Doug O'Connor, alto sax
Katherine Weintraub, tenor sax
Matt Evans, bari sax
Izzy Healy, recording engineer
Joshua Mallard, mixing engineer
for more information, visit hanhitchen.com

[@hanhitchen2024]

Thanks for watching!! For those interested, the score is now available for purchase on JW Pepper. www.jwpepper.com/burnt-trees-will-never-unburn/11558398.item

[@hello_wyrld8567]

ples upload this on spotify 😁

[@neochotomy]

5 yr old me hearing violins do spooky trills in movies: 😮 4:37 - adult me realizing saxophones make it feel absolutely dreadful and terrifying: 😶

[@Aleksandr_Skrjabin]

Listen to Nono Ligeti and Xenakis, and a Polish one I believe which I forgot the name of,,

[@bruhmomenthdr7575]

Average NBA stadium:

[@AlbySilly]

Ah yes, a sound best described as a mix of a horse and tires

[@yat_ii]

​@@Aleksandr_SkrjabinPenderecki?

[@Aleksandr_Skrjabin]

@@yat_ii Nope, I mean this guy with "Czer" in it I think,,

[@SeaguIISoup]

i like how it’s actually instructed to go backstage and choke your instruments to death

[@iisleepydreams241]

HOW ARE YOU EVEN SUPPOSED TO PLAY THAT?! I’ve been playing the tenor sax for three years and I’m dumbfounded from this piece.

[@bestbrassDCI]

Honestly just start practicing making weird noises

[@iisleepydreams241]

@@bestbrassDCII guess I should just ask the people in my music class who play tenor cause they sound like a boat horn.

[@a.j.501st]

Been playing for 10 years. Playing collegiately now. Work on your overtones. The scratchy noises can be made through overtones and carefully sliding your bottom lip up and down the reed. Like Leo P.

[@BOBO-wt7yi]

3 years is still pretty new when is comes to an instrument

[@a.j.501st]

@@BOBO-wt7yi it is, but it’s never to early to start developing the chops for those more advanced techniques such as overtones.

[@丫o]

Seismologist: getting some interesting activity Saxophonist: I can play that

[@krazykidgamer1441]

This sounds really good, I like the incorporation of techniques that aren't used in classical music for saxophone. As a saxophonist I would absolutely play this given the opportunity. Great job!!

[@kell_0741]

the feeling of loneliness and isolation came through very clearly at the end, the air in the alto felt like the wind which often accompanies an empty expanse, the the fading soprano and bari felt like some last dying breaths, or cries, almost like a memory. Loved the piece a bunch, amazing work, even if I tie a lot of the symbolism into my own interpretations.

[@pianosimply4862]

Great. Now I'm going to humming THAT all day.

[@westonmccurry3335]

😂

[@ellybargmusic]

Wow this is amazing on so many levels! The concept, the creative scoring, the incredible performance. As a former tenor sax player and amateur composer I am completely blown away- you've showcased a range of cold and warm timbres that I didn't even realise saxophones could make together. Plus the storytelling is executed perfectly. Absolutely brilliant, a huge congratulations to everybody involved ♥

[@elijahcampbell7815]

What is the story? Like a tree burning?

[@saxboss9738]

The thumbnail including the scribble notation caught my attention. I'm usually not a fan of contemporary music for saxophones, but I enjoyed this. The extended techniques were tasteful and really leant to the meaning of the piece effectively. I honestly hate multiphonics on saxophone because, usually, they are so brazen and piercing to the ear, but in this context, I liked them a lot! The chords with microtones were really unique and harrowing. I've read all of the comments, and you mentioned "teeth on the reed" when talking about the scribble notation. Are the players really playing like that in the recording? Or was that just a visual you gave the commenter who asked? I can play overtones like that, but with my teeth on the reed? ... I've never tried playing like that or heard of that so I'm just asking for clarification. I'm asking for specifics because I might buy this to play in my collegiate quartet, and I'd just like to know the specifics on that. Really unique and awesome piece! Also, I'm sure you knew when writing a piece like this that there would be haters, but, the hate just comes from a place of ignorance, an untrained ear, and a closed mind. So, block those comments out, and focus on the good ones! Great work! We need new music for saxophones desperately, so keep making it!

[@hanhitchen2024]

Thank you so much for this sweet comment! To answer your question regarding teeth on reed: Joshua Hyde has a great video going into detail on how to do it, which I used as my main auditory resource. I believe it does literally involve the teeth touching the reed, though I could be mistaken. Hope this helps!

[@saxboss9738]

I'll definitely go and check that video out, thank you :)@@hanhitchen2024

[@Kolblucky]

I aint reading allat

[@saxboss9738]

Who?@@Kolblucky

[@Kolblucky]

@@saxboss9738 I aint reading allat

[@Bluejay-ri1yf]

This... is remarkable. I've never heard of such a contemporary piece that carries such primal emotion within it - created not through complex harmony, but really the lack thereof (you catch my drift?). It makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable listening to it, but not because I think it's pretentious or nonsensical, it makes me feel uncomfortable because it feels all too real.

[@juicymango8400]

Bro these chords and clashes give me shivers. AMAZING job man!

[@maximuscolemanmusic]

My eyes cannot unsee this, my ears cannot unhear this.

[@jigilub]

I can't wait for the 1yr/5yr/20yr follow-up music, thank you for your sonification. They say time heals all wounds but I find that we more grow through what we go through, growing past the pain but acknowledging it in a way mankind has yet to grasp. Don't forget yourself amongst the collective forest, you are enough and valuable as you are and metaphorical forest fires are a part of nature.

[@joeadm3771]

finally! chamber music you can dance to!

[@Gln-to3rq]

This is absolute gas, keep slaying the day king

[@megansullins5875]

My friend and I had the deepest discussion about this piece last night!! The story behind it could not be portrayed any better, like every aspect of it is so perfect 🙌 this piece makes me want to learn saxophone, it's actually perfection

[@amandakester5117]

My quartet bought the score back when it came out 2 months ago and we are having a great time putting it together for our final quartet recital in about a month! Thank you so much for writing this amazing piece we love it!! Sincerely, The Magnolia Quartet🌸

[@hanhitchen2024]

I'm so happy to hear this! I'd love to know more about your performance. Feel free to use the contact page on my website. Thank you, Magnolia Quartet! 🌸💐🌺

[@dougoconnor]

Congrats on your performance tonight!

[@johansws]

This is absolutely incredible, I've never heard anything like this for saxophone. Thank you!

[@Euphonium_boi]

The end with the squiggle notes kinda sounds like our saxophone sectionntrying note to squeak and biting the reed instead

[@hambourghini5023]

there is quite literally biting of the reed happening in that part

[@OctopusContrapunctus]

this is awesome, love every single bit of its enchantingly melodic while being haunting and also driving but also clumsy at same time, its menassing but contained. simply awesome❤

[@i_am_a_music_maker5212]

Saxophone spectralism, wonderful

[@alexsturrock9602]

4:12 my shoes on a bad day

[@davinm111]

I'm not a contemporary music fan usually (a lot of contemporary composers love their precussive tonguing) but this one felt oddly enjoyable to listen to. I wish I could have listened to it in person!

[@dawerty98]

The view the sound creates is truly unique. The high pitch notes were excellently balanced, dynamic and fitting into the theme.

[@kalebrhea5822]

This is a very interesting piece with lots of good uses of extended techniques. As a developing composer, I occasionally try out extended techniques. I feel like they are very hard to get right. The way they are incorporated here is just flawless. I think this is the best marriage of traditional playing and extended techniques. The balance is great and it really sells the concept. I was very moved by a piece that I was not planning to listen to today. The odd name and good thumbnail has done you great justice. On a separate note, I hope you submit this piece to contests/conferences, because it’s very unique and would grow like a forest fire.

[@aidanmarano1732]

I'm glad I switched to vocal focus in college... if i were to go for my master's in sax performance I would've had to learn stuff like this LOLL no but fr dude this is actually super cool. I don't play sax as much anymore but this piece has weirdly enough irked that craving for it again... super haunting and genuinely disturbing stuff and I mean that in the best way.

[@quail5094]

lobotomy: the musical

[@rynvlrt]

My best friend just performed this as part of her quartet recital and I was blown away. The soprano and baritone both moved to the back of the lecture hall towards the end and this piece becomes all the more eerie when saxes are coming at you from four different directions. Incredible piece.

[@hanhitchen2024]

Thank you so much! So glad you got to hear it live. I tuned into the stream and they absolutely nailed it.

[@Zovixi]

This looks like if someone who didn’t know what music transcription was tried to write this down. Good piece btw

[@samuelmutter2568]

I greatly admire that this piece is based on something very personal, though I am of course deeply sorry that your family went through that experience. The piece is wonderfully haunting. Congratulations and best wishes

[@MIDIPipe]

Such A Refreshing MasterPiece! Bravo Maestro. Cheers From México City!!!

[@jakethespoopycat]

I love you’re music man, you capture emotion with such raw honesty. I’m glad this piece is getting attention! All of you’re work is amazing and deserves to be recognized.

[@thomas.j.s]

beautiful and invigorating piece. jaw dropping. please never stop composing

[@fotgjengeren]

Love the spectral approach to saxophone

[@unknown-kj4qp]

You picked a great subject to showcase an unusual technique, great job!

[@francoomarlopezlopez]

Such a genuinely heartbreaking piece. You're doing amazing work!

[@jj8703]

as a marching percussionist I have no idea what any of this is

[@JamesConley999]

as a jazz saxophonist i also have no idea what any of this is

[@maxcrowe3900]

Exceptional, thank you.

[@dougthedonkey1805]

This is harrowingly beautiful

[@Vivi-Mage]

I’ve never heard a piece like this or that uses contemporary techniques mixed with traditional techniques in quite this way. I typically don’t like contemporary music, but this evokes such visceral emotions of loneliness and pain and I’ve never had a piece do that to me before. Remarkable stuff! Thank you for sharing it!

[@SamuEL-73nuu.o.S]

I thought the lines were a joke, but man the trills at the end I wasn’t expecting

[@Raster_Rasper]

This genuinely put some fear in me... holy heck thats amazing

[@The_asdfghjkl]

Listening through this piece gave me some genuine chills. Incredibly well done.

[@familiarstranger9617]

crunchy chords nom nom nom

[@funmajorvids3913]

Planning to perform this for an ensemble festival with my quartet 🙏

[@hanhitchen2024]

So happy to hear that! I’d love to hear more about the performance. If and when you get program info feel free to contact me with the details through my website. ☺️

[@NMIC374]

WHAT A AMAZING WORK OF ART. WOW.

[@erosefleeting]

this made me cry…masterfully done.

[@thesovietunion9542]

Holy shit. This is truly a beautiful piece, and also massive props to the performers for playing those microtonal multiphonics. Also, once again, this composition is one of the most haunting, yet beautiful pieces i’ve ever heard (and seen ig). It truly gives the vibe that the description describes.

[@dawerty98]

It made me recall when i heard that one oddly noisy train door, when i hit the dish with cutlery the wrong way and when i sneeze sometimes...

[@Clay-qq5vb]

this is hauntingly beautiful. im going to be thinking about this for a while.

[@notsogoodbassplayer]

Absolutely eerie, I really enjoyed this! Where did the name of the piece come from?

[@codascheuer8426]

Read the program notes in the description

[@hanhitchen2024]

Thank you! The program notes say "The title refers not necessarily to literal trees, but family trees, and the idea that once trust is broken to a level that threatens the security of other loved ones, it is impossible to rekindle it." Long story short: a combination of the phrases "burnt bridges" and "family trees." Hope this helps! :)

[@notsogoodbassplayer]

@@hanhitchen2024 Thanks for replying, really cool concept!

[@EJBarron]

That was terrifying! WOW!

[@alexdfries]

amazing composition! very interesting

[@syndicate7929]

Multiphonics are great!

[@KingfisherTalkingPictures]

This is a hell of an amazing piece of music!

[@GnomeHats]

I love what you do and what you stand for. ♥️

[@nicktallfox5266]

Didn't know you could play doctors handwriting on a saxophone... Also, this video made me fear squiggles.

[@felixmarques]

That was fantastic. The very end reminded me of a hurt dog crying.

[@kelvin4941]

Literally the title and music confirmed something uncanny and unsettling like an A24 horror

[@ShanevsDCsniperr]

very cool piece of music

[@kris8606]

This is amazing. A similar thing happened to my family so listening to this after reading the description I really felt like i got it

[@MADELPHUS]

A hundred window's cleaned at once.

[@pimpusmane]

Just take out the articulation and make it all fortissimo and you have my bass clarinet / bari - tenor sax section in highschool. We made all kinds of noises that definitely could only be depicted with lines on sheet music. My buddy undid a tension mechanism on one of his valves and he’d pluck the pin and it’d make this really short high pitched buzz and it’d be so funny when it’d get silent for a second and that’s the next thing you hear.

[@zoruaak]

I love this so muchh🔥🔥🔥

[@scooterz420]

i hate that i love this because now i gotta try the bari part..

[@isaacomposer]

Love it!

[@freddiegardner2010]

holy shit man that's so deep.

[@SaxandRelax]

This is exactly how I feel rn

[@plagueofmoths]

The sheer eeriness from just one instrument i previously only associated with jazz and that one song that everyone associates with sex is eye opening

[@mikalagounaris2371]

You have created something unique, difficult and very compelling. Thank you 💗

[@PP-ok2xt]

Incredible, sounds straight out of taxi driver or another of scorceses masterpiece. I hope we get to hear you in cinema someday

[@Thebradykins]

Listen to reconstruction on baritone saxaphone also the lines above some of the notes I believe mean teeth on reed and the higher it goes it needs more strength and lower is less

[@growskull]

awesome, reminds me alot of henry cow especially their live renditions of songs

[@dliap98]

this is sick as hell. some moments in particular are just so beautiful. well done👌🏻

[@saj_a]

I am genuinely in fear just by the first minute and I don't usually get scared like this. I love it! 🎅🤌

[@nitecomet]

This is beautiful.

[@ewwma_k]

i don’t know what i just listened to,, but it was cool (and terrifying) asf so,,, well done man

[@lipamanka]

this sounds incredibly cool! definitely felt what you were describing in the description.

[@rpiano6477]

I love measures 7-12 sounds like a classic movie score

[@natedawg906]

This song is actually so cool

[@erboch7124]

Also i relate hard to the description, hope you're doing alright

[@mwm48]

It looks like the composer just signed his autograph at the end. 🤔

[@kalebrhea5822]

Interesting idea! Might have to try that in one of my own pieces

[@tfuenke]

Amateur composer and this is blowing my mind. Well done Ser.

[@crow.mp4]

i'm always thinking about this piece

[@dougthedonkey1805]

Reminds me a bit of “Walls” by Dave Porter

[@micahcurtis5333]

i adore the sound design in this

[@dsctunes]

This is amazing! It belongs in a movie!

[@deara3424]

As a 9 month saxophonist, these techniques are insane, and sometimes hard to learn. Thai is great!

[@davidedimarino1254]

this is incredible!!! great sound e great execution!!!

[@FabricioMereles-q5x]

Una locura!! Estas demente!! 🧙🏼‍♂️🧙🏼‍♂️🧙🏼‍♂️🧙🏼‍♂️

[@Sostot0104]

This i s amazing, you really express the emotions!!! I love it!!!

[@littleblackrail]

Completely and absolutely brilliant!

[@quieterthanafish5901]

stunning and unpredictable!

[@makkreol]

Very relatable

[@F4ygo4ever]

yo this is what I be feeling in the Minecraft caves

[@mwm48]

I have to go re-think some things.

[@liamp.9201]

where can i read about the extended technique and notation of this piece?

[@hanhitchen2024]

Hi! I've included the notation key on my website. I've included the link to the specific page in this comment. Hope this helps! hanhitchen.com/burnttreeswillneverunburn

[@BensonMusicClub]

very powerful. i love the way you arrange for the sax quartet.

[@samwisethesleepy]

Absolutely gorgeous piece ❤