PERFORMANCE HISTORY

Premiered in October 2015 by the Buffalo Chamber Players at the Albright Knox Art Gallery.

*

Performed in Ciminelli Hall at

Buffalo State University

in March 2016.

    INSTRUMENTATION

1. • Violin I                  may be performed by string quintet
   

2. • Violin II                            or string orchestra
   

3. • Viola
   

4. • Cello                                       Duration: 6-8 minutes
   

5. • Contrabass                                             
   

Also available in a version for solo piano.           

    PROGRAM NOTE

Upon arriving at the MacDowell Colony for a residency in 2006, I found myself in a quiet studio, the names of former colonists lining the walls – writers and composers, some famous, some teachers of mine. It was at once intimidating and inspiring to be in a space where they had worked. I thought of how I would fill the silence as I started a six-week residency. I sat down at the piano and wrote this piece. It’s a simple piece: a series of open chords with a downward trajectory. It is meant to open the mind. It is a beginning, and ends with a sense of possibility, a sense of wonder at what the future might bring.