On A Piece Of Tapestry

O Cool Is The Valley Now

A recording of the performance by the Caprice Saxophone Quartet on their concert of music by Minnesota Composers on November 23, 2013.

Sonata Agitata

She Moved Through The Fair

The White Heron is a setting of the poem of the same title by William Butler Yeats for SATB chorus a capella. It is performed here by MPLS (imPulse).

The White Heron

Aurora is all about light.

The term ‘aurora’ comes from the Latin word for ‘dawn’. In Roman mythology, Aurora was the goddess of dawn, and each day she would fly across the sky to announce the arrival of the sun. This piece portrays Aurora’s daily journey. It begins slow, quiet, and restful, as the world slowly begins to awaken from the night. Then suddenly Aurora bursts forth, streaking across the sky in triumph as the sun emerges from the horizon. Finally, her work done and the sun risen, Aurora returns to rest.

In the north, the term ‘aurora’ also refers to the northern lights, the brightly colored flickering lights projected onto our northern skies. It’s no coincidence that the northern lights are called the aurora borealis. The ‘dawn of the north’ has captured my imagination for years, and this piece also serves as an illustration of its ephemerality, its vastness, and its beauty.

This performance is by Northern Symphony Orchestra, recorded in concert April 23.

Aurora

Pretty Saro

Out of the River of Tuoni

Spectromorphology is the study the changing spectra of sounds over time. This piece aimed to slowly change each of the sounds throughout the duration of the work.

Spectromorphologicality

Cirrostratus

Ian A. Cook is a Minnesota-based award-winning composer whose music has been performed across North America. His work is often inspired by the interrelatedness of ideas, concepts, phrases, voices, and styles through history, time, or space. He often explores linearity, narrative, interplay, context, and change, yielding music that has been described as cinematic and captivating. He has received commissions and performances from prominent ensembles and festivals, including the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, the Northern Symphony Orchestra, MPLS (imPulse), Caprice Saxophone Quartet, and the Aries Composers Festival, and he enjoys regular collaboration with Aliro Voices.

Ian is also an active performer as a trombonist and vocalist. He currently sings with the National Lutheran Choir, Aliro Voices, and MPLS (imPulse), and has sung previously with Magnum Chorum. Ian also serves on the MPLS (imPulse) board of directors. Ian holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College, where he studied Music Theory and Composition, Instrumental Music Education, and Educational Studies under teachers such as Justin Merritt, Timothy Mahr, Christopher Aspaas, and Steven Amundson.