PIeces written at UC Santa Cruz not featured on DMA recital 1

Recorded from a reading with Del Sol String Quartet in San Francisco, Fall, 2022. 

Dreaming Phoenix is my first string quartet I have composed in 8 years, and it was so exciting to write one again, especially for the incredible Del Sol String Quartet. This piece is an expression of my rebirth, or reawakening, as a composer. The pandemic from 2020 to 2022 took a huge toll on my life and well-being, so this piece is me ‘rising from the ashes’, reconnecting with myself and my imagination. I am deeply influenced by Korean and Indian music and explore rhythm cycles Utmori and Jhaaptal, timbres, and melodic shapes drawn from various traditions. The image and story I am exploring is a beautiful bird emerging from the embers through rays of light filtered through forest trees.
Written for Del Sol String Quartet, Santa Cruz, Fall 2022
Cover Image by J.H. Williams III

Dreaming Phoenix (2022) featuring Del Sol String Quartet

Inspired by the eyes of ancient creatures. 
Written for Eunah Noh, haegeum; Eonhwa Lee, gayageum; Jung-min Lim, daegeum; and Wonkak Kim, clarinet.

Performed at Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, 2023

Eyes of Crystals (2023) featuring Eunah Noh, Eonhwa Lee, Jung-min Lim, and Wonkak Kim

Between the Reeds is an exploration of the acoustical properties of the khaen, a bamboo mouth organ from Thailand and Laos. I use mouth and rhythm techniques inspired by the traditional way of playing, with original melody and chord progressions then freeze them, spectrally analyze, then reharmonize in real time using live processing electronics. The result is a colorful and immersive sonic experience that features and expands upon the natural beauty of the instrument, bringing attention and appreciation to the culture and music that inspired this piece. The image I would like to bring to mind is the ever changing space between the reeds on the river as the wind flows through them, creating gentle patterns in the sun.This piece could be an addition to the repertoire of new pieces written for khaen by composers such as Christpher Adler and Hal Walker. - Michael J Fleming, performer and composer
Premiered April 18th, 2025

Between the Reeds (2024) - for khaen and live electronics

Opaline Dusk is inspired by the moments of reflection while gazing at the majestic evolving colors and patterns of the sunset. Sunsets occur, even when hidden behind clouds, everywhere in the world, every day. Currently I am experiencing transitions and transformations in my life, so for this piece I am fascinated by transitions of light during sunset and the moments of awe they inspire. I explore various musical frameworks and instrumental and vocalization techniques to
create that sense of experience. May this piece also be a glimmer of hope that even amongst hardship, the sun will rise and set again.
Composed for Charlton Lee and Kathryn Bates
Photo credit - Bala Raghavan

Opaline Dusk (2025) - for vocalizing violist and cellist - featuring Charlton Lee and Kathryn Bates

Composer | Musician | Educator
Composer of Contemporary Art Music inspired by the philosophies and cultures of our beautiful world. 
Plays and collaborates with the violin, piano, hammered dulcimer, accordion, steel-tongue drum and hulusi.
Aspiring educator of music from many corners of our musical and expressive world. 
Chapman University BM Music Composition '16
University of Oregon MM Music Composition '19
UC Santa Cruz DMA Music Composition '27

Dreaming Phoenix (2022) featuring Del Sol String Quartet

Michael J. Fleming