In August of 2019, I decided on a whim to try and climb the infamous Manitou Incline in Manitou Spring, CO. I set out on to the trail in the mid-to-late morning on a particularly hot day for Colorado and when I was about halfway up, I stopped for a moment to take a break. I realized I had no water left, was already quite hot, and my heart was not slowing down, even when I completely stopped to rest. I then had a series of panic attacks that made my heart rate spike to 200 bpm. Long story short, I was suffering from severe dehydration and a fireman came up the Incline to deliver a liter of saline to get me back up and running. I spent the next two days at home recuperating and decided that I would adequately prepare myself and would try it again. Facing my fear, I climbed it again, but was overprepared the second time. About a third-of-the-way up I had another panic attack, but through patience and perseverance was able to surmount my fear, pushing through and finishing the climb. It was exhilarating to best a goal that had beaten me just days before.

This piece follows my experience and is an expression of the emotions I felt. The first movement has a beckoning melody in the saxophone with bell-like sounds in the piano, followed by a bit of a playful “jam” that is reflective of the optimism I had heading to the trailhead. The first movement closes with screaming, urgent sounds, reflective of my panicked state while on the mountain. The second movement mirrors the devastation but lifts in the end to bring back a reprise of the first movement’s beckoning melody, calling back to the mountain. The third movement has a new section with a determined, break-neck feel that leads into another climb. This time, however, the climb results in conquering the mountain rather than it conquering the climber.

Huge thanks to Robert Eason for his help conceptualizing the piece and for help all throughout, organizing the commission and being the great friend that he has always been.

The Manitou Incline

Hailed as "extremely moving" by New Music Box and "especially sweet" by the Austin American Statesman, the music of Joel Love (b. 1982) explores an eclectic mix of genres, from short video pieces to works for chamber and large ensembles.

The Manitou Incline

Joel Love | Composer