"Antarctic Fantasy" is a landscape-inspired piece for solo piano depicting the harsh polar climate of one of the most desolate places remaining on earth. This piece is the first in a four-part series entitled "Desolate Places," in which deserts from around the world are explored through musical gesture.

Antarctic Fantasy

This small piece for flute, viola, and cello was written after my visit to Ireland in July, 2018. This piece centers around the scenery in the Glendalough glacial valley in County Wicklow where I stayed and explored the Wicklow Mountains.

Through Clovered Hills

This fun little wind quintet was written with the not-so-majestic in mind. Geese have been described to me by a close friend as the most “kickable” creatures in the animal kingdom, which has inspired me to create this comedic, slapstick-style show piece for winds.

Geese

As the eleventh movement in my twelve-movement series, “The Zodiac Cycle,” for string quintet and harp, “Aquarius” examines the character of those born between January 21 and February 19. The Aquarian is affectionate and honest. But the tendencies to daydream and lose focus often plague this deep-thinking sign.

Aquarius

As the second movement in my twelve-movement series “The Zodiac Cycle” for string quintet and harp, “Taurus” examines the character of those born between April 20 and May 21. Often labeled as stubborn and tough outwardly, the Taurean is actually full of kind sentiments and a deep desire for the beautiful things in life.

The Zodiac Cycle

Taurus

As the fourth movement in my twelve-movement series “The Zodiac Cycle” for string quintet and harp, “Cancer” examines the character of those born between June 21 and July 22. Cancerians are the most nurturing sign of the zodiac, but their lack of self-assurance may force them to retreat into their shell.

Cancer

“Relics from the Gobi” is the second movement in a four-movement series entitled "Desolate Places," in which the four types of desert—polar, semi-arid, coastal, and subtropical respectively—are depicted. While these movements share the desert as a common theme, they also deal with feelings of isolation, the human need for companionship, and the inevitable insanity when one is deprived of basic necessities.

Desolate Places

Relics from the Gobi

Based on the painting, Unravel, by my colleague Lemma Shafik—a senior at the Cleveland Institute of Art—Narrative on a Folding Screen is the culmination of our yearlong collaboration through paint and music. I was compelled to partner with Lemma, since she and I both draw inspiration from nature in our respective artforms, making this an obvious pairing. Throughout Narrative on a Folding Screen, 3 themes representing forest, light, and mountains are explored in various ways, organically falling into one another to portray this mystical and mysterious landscape. Together, Unravel and Narrative on a Folding Screen create an immersive art experience meant to take audiences out of their seats and into the natural world.

Narrative on a Folding Screen

A composer seeking out the fantastical and peculiar through music.

Greg Watson