racked through uncertainty; soothing…still (2020)

for Unheard-of Ensemble (violin, cello, clarinet, and piano)

Premiered by Unheard-of//Ensemble, 2020, as a part of Unheard-of//Ensemble’s Collaborative Composition Initiative

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program note:

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A refraction of thoughts and emotions.
An internal journey, but in a space that is vast, and unknown.

Thrown into a situation, unexpected, unpredictable.
Chaos spins into a confusion, the mind losing control.
Disoriented, becoming anxious, unable to make sense of anything.

It’s difficult to restore a sense of calm.
Racking the brain for stability, comfort; causing extreme mental pain.

Everything returns to fear, a blurred focus.

Then, a lifeline, perhaps;
a familiarity –
hearing white-throated sparrow, black-capped chickadee –
a soothing comfort, quiets the mind, even for a moment.

Coping, processing, thinking, reeling –
pulled back into anxious thoughts –
reaching for that quiet familiarity, the solace of stillness.

Knowledge of the temporary nature of uncertainty as a beacon.

Suspended; nevertheless, all the same.

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Contact Erika for score inquiries. 

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