Program Notes

9999ights as a piece is rooted in senses of energized curiosity, overwhelming reflection, and intense sonder, stemming from a realization regarding the immensity of life that comes from looking over a city at night from a high perch. Each dot of light is a life, or multiple lives. A soul with thoughts, feelings, family, friends, values, and everything vital to the human condition. The realization that each of those people is experiencing a completely different version of life; nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine different nights laid out before your eyes. The entire piece revolves around a central melody—a single realization—and its variations, which can take the form of an electrified dance, a simple piano song, or a hocketing machine. The idea evolves over time, going through numerous emotional states and timbral textures before settling into the silent noise of the mind yet again. It’s twisted, varied, brought forth, shoved back, shifted around, fired up, tempered down, and cast into the wind. This melody also bounces between parts frequently, symbolizing the web of connections that people make. But, much like the human spirit, it persists, and never disappears. It is everywhere and nowhere in particular. And, most importantly, connections are vital.

Currently, this piece is available for purchase in the following options:

Digital Score and Parts (PDF)
Digital Score and Parts with Special Cover Art (PDF)
Digital Full Score Only - Perusal Score (PDF)
Digital Full Score Only - Perusal Score with Special Cover Art (PDF)

A Dance With Death (2021), for solo piano

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