"New Worlds" is a piece I wrote to musically represent the beauty and mystery of the ocean. The piece is split into two very different parts; the first mimics the ocean's waves using dynamic and texture, and the second is quick and light, meant to represent coral reefs and the many small organisms that inhabit them.

This recording was captured in May 2019 and was recorded by members of the Seattle Symphony through the Seattle Symphony's Young Composers Workshop.

New Worlds

"Awakening" is a piece about the sunrise, and is split into two distinct sections much like "New Worlds." The slower first part represents dawn and light beginning to cover the landscape. The quicker second part illustrates the awakening of life as birds begin to chirp and animals begin to go about their day.

Awakening

"Fading Energy" is a piece about the sunset and the quiet of nighttime.

Fading Energy

The Infinite Glade

No matter how similar two ideas may be, the smallest differences can create discord between them. "Between Two" explores this conflict and disagreement between two alike ideas. The main theme throughout the piece, the “horn call” motif played at the beginning, utilises two musical modes that contrast with one another: a bright mode (ionian) and a dark one (phrygian). This contrast continues in the quicker and more intense section near the end of the piece. As the faster motif plays and expands, it is occasionally interrupted by loud notes from a different key. This battle between the two plays out throughout the rest of the piece, ending with a final raucous battle between the two ideas. 

Performed by Graham Ulery.

Between Two

I have always been very captivated by Greek and Roman mythology, especially their gods. Their gravitas and sheer power always drew me in. When I began writing for percussion and trombone, I knew these were two very powerful instruments, and I knew I wanted them to clash in some way. I decided to use the two instruments to depict two powerful Greek gods.

In Godly Quarrels, the two depicted gods are arguing with each other. About what? That, no one knows. Sometimes, the gods interrupt each other with a loud burst of music or have moments of quick back and forth. At times, you may hear one of the gods mocking the other. Quite rarely, you may even notice that the gods have agreed on something. Ultimately, however, their fight ends in chaos and destruction with one final loud outburst.

Godly Quarrels is slated to be performed in April 2022 by the Appalachia Duo at the Jacobs School of Music.

Luca Robadey

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