• Date - 2006
• Dur - 11'
• Inst - electric cello, soundfile, video
• Premier - April 6, 2006; UAB Hulsey Recital Hall, Birmingham, AL

This work for electric cello, computer-generated soundfile, and video is the result of the 2005-2006 Hultgren/UAB Computer Music Ensemble Commissioning Prize. Co-sponsor Craig Hultgren performs the ecello part, accompanied by the soundfile and video. The video, conceived as a modern silent film, is an allegorical tale of the danger of good ideas taken to their extreme conclusions. It features red hands, cars, ideas, intrigue, white robes, cats, murder, gospel, trains, rebirth, and cereal. Live performers were once a common sight at silent film houses, and this project hopes to capture a bit of that lost spirit.

The Crab premiered in 2006 as part of the UAB Computer Music Ensemble’s Spring concert, and has since been performed several other times by Mr. Hultgren in Bowling Green, OH, St. Louis, MO, and throughout Birmingham, AL.

The video was shot entirely in Birmingham, using local talent. The two lead roles are performed by Rick James and Beth Kitchin, two favorites of the Birmingham theatre scene.