Scores

This piece is about how our thoughts sometimes tend to go on downward tangents, even if our train of thought started with innocent thoughts. We may find it hard to snap out of it, maybe even wanting to indulge in these negative thoughts, especially during difficult times. However, sometimes all it takes is a simple gesture (eating a nice meal, getting fresh air, etc), or spending time with kind people to realize that a lot of your thoughts have gone so far into nonsense and that life is actually okay.

While composing this winter-themed piece for Orchestra Toronto, I imagined people gathering by a warm fire on the longest night of the year, while the cold wind is blowing and snowflakes are falling.

Thank you to conductors Michael Newnham and Fabian Galeana, executive director Julianna Cole, and all the wonderful orchestra musicians who made this premiere possible at the sold-out "A Winter Festival" concert! It was a pleasure to talk about my piece at the pre-concert chat and it was very heartwarming to talk with kind audience members.

This piece has a bowed vibraphone with aluminium foil on top of it which makes a rustling sound, imitating the noise of a blizzard from inside a home. Also, there are flutes playing a quarter-tone out of tune paired with wind chimes, imitating the howl of the wind. As the piece progresses, the warmth of the hearth washes over you and the sound of bells reminds you of the spirit of Christmas. Although it is cold and dark outside, the family and friends around us light up our world. As the ice cracks and thaws, we remember that brighter days are coming.