Horn Duet in (2018)
Program Note
This piece for two horns commemorates the conclusion of my studies in Eugene, Oregon. Situated in Willamette Valley, one of the country’s most bountiful regions, the University of Oregon is home to incredible scenery. Full of temperate rainforests, rich sunsets, and hese sights formed the backdrop of my intensive studies here. Each movement exists in a harmonic world infused with the stunning visuals of this environment and traces the journey in full circle. The first movement evokes the feelings of anticipation and excitement that accompany any great change, as well as some small shadows of doubts, remembrances, and hesitations. It concludes with an expansive look over approaching horizons. The next movement embraces the conflicts that arise in new situations and may be interpreted with a defiant character or a more playful one, depending on performer preference. Movement three is the nadir of the emotional path inscribed by the piece, a moment of true exhaustion that pauses only for the articulation of an unanswerable question. But with a moment’s rest, vitality is restored, and the piece concludes with a developmental recap of the first movement, celebratory and triumphant.