Provocative and intense, Julia Wolfe's music combines minimalist techniques, repetitive rhythms, & sustained harmonies with a rock sensibility. Cruel Sister was commissioned by the Munich Chamber Orchestra and received its US premiere at the Spoleto Festival in 2009. The piece recounts a grisly tale of sibling rivalry, inspired by a haunting English ballad. 'I was fascinated and horrified by the overwhelming greed and jealousy of the tale,' says Julia. 'My 'Cruel Sister' is a search to unravel this human dilemma.' 'Fuel' is a collaboration with filmmaker Bill Morrison examining the impact of globalization. Commissioned by Ensemble Resonanz, a Hamburg-based group of 18 musicians, Fuel was premiered in 2007 as a multi-media performance.