21st Century. Speed Metal Organum Blues was commissioned by the Prism Saxophone Quartet for their 20th Anniversary Concerts in November, 2004. Barely over a minute long, this work is part of a group of 20 one-minute long pieces by 20 composers to commemorate the Prism Quartet's milestone. The title refers to the fast paced succession of open 5th "power chords" found in speed metal music- and the strange notion that this music may have actually evolved from 13th Century organum (doubtful, but funny to think about - Monks on speed!). - the composer