Finding Breath

Perusal Score

Commissioned: The Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble, Inc.

Premiered: Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble

Year: 2017

Duration: nine minutes

Difficulty: Advanced/Professional

Instrumentation: flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello

Program Notes:

FINDING BREATH is about the process of meditation. It begins with tense layers of sound, each vying for our attention, much like the million thoughts running through our minds every day. After reaching a breaking point, the music starts to relax into a slowing, regular breathing pattern, illustrated by the ensemble’s crescendo (inhale) and diminuendo (exhale) pattern. This breathing unveils a simple, clear melodic idea as a result of the meditative, focused breathing.