Program Note:

In February of 2021, Texas experienced a severe and unprecedented winter storm. The storm cut off many essential things taken for granted, such as heat, electricity, clean water, and traffic lights.

I sat in the cold dark one evening during this storm, tired and lamenting the fact I could not really do much of anything at all. But I could talk to my father on my cell phone, and he encouraged me to simply get up and find a way to do something, however modest, and to be thankful for that.
By flashlight, I scribbled down some rather humorously cliché ideas for a woodwind instrument in my notebook. This was the first thing which came to mind, and I have no idea why. But I felt much better knowing I did at least something, however trivial. The ideas clung to me, and I accepted the challenge to flesh them out.  
​
I didn't really set out to convey some sort of serious intellectual idea related to the times in the music, as composers are often expected to do these days. I just wanted to have fun, and for the players to have fun. I have always enjoyed ridiculous fantasy, and I have always had the impulse to create my own worlds. The sparse, wintry, and folk-like textures in the beginning just felt natural to me, as did the infernal, mechanized, and sardonic items in the middle section. I also enjoy a lot of music by lesser known Soviet composers. I think that came through as well.

Performances:

• Lauren Keating and James Palmer, Duncan Hall, Houston, Texas, November 15, 2021.

• Recorded by Kate Wegener and Ayane Nakajima, 19 Sterling Drive, Westport, Connecticut, July 25, 2021.