Desert Rhapsody

Desert Rhapsody (2024)

6’40

Program Note: 

Written for my dear friend and low clarinet specialist, Dr. Kim Fullerton, “Desert Rhapsody” was commissioned in honor of Dr. Robert Spring and his retirement. When thinking about what to convey with this piece, I decided to try and capture the feeling of living in the desert. It’s a sort of rite of passage for his students, and if you’re not originally from Arizona, moving to the desert is like moving to a new planet. A rhapsody seemed like a natural choice for this piece. Therefore, the music attempts to feel improvised as if panning through the sights, sounds, and feelings of the desert. There are four continuous movements with each conveying a different aspect of the desert. 

I. Shades of Tan 

II. Cactus 

III. Canyon 

IV. Haboob 

*piece can be performed with or without video

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