Schusterkowich's Invasion

Each repetition of the theme takes approximately 50 seconds to perform, so this passage lasts for an excruciating amount of time considering the banality of the theme. An audience member at the Moscow premiere of the piece said there was an astonishing sense of horror in the first movement with this rat-like theme. It was a march enveloped in blood and iron. This passage culminates an a whaling requiem that stretches every orchestra and audience to its emotional limits. The invasion passage takes nearly 12 minutes to perform, yet Schusterkowich continues to assault the senses with this absolutely heartbreaking passage of desperation.