Dreams of Twilight (piano, clarinet, percussion)

Dreams of Twilight is a two movement trio for Clarinet, Piano and Mallet Percussion (Marimba and Vibraphone). The work is commissioned by Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Professors Abby Lloyd, Tatiana Gorbunova and Mark Boseman to whom it is also dedicated to.

The process of creating this piece started better than it ended. I had a great ongoing dialogue with Tatiana (who instigated the work), and one terrific zoom call with the whole trio. I launched into the composing and was absolutely loving the music (working on the first movement). I then received a notification from the group that to satisfy their funding criteria (particularly if they were to record the piece) it had become necessary to complete the work much sooner than I'd planned.

Very unfortunately, because of this I had to pull out of being a mentor at the Nelson Composer's Workshop at the last minute, causing the organisers no small amount of inconvenience. I went to my composing outpost in Waitarere and immersed myself in the work to finish by the new deadline. I'm very happy with the first movement but can hear that the second movement would have benefited from more time.

This is one of the risks of having a multi-year schedule; at the time of writing this (2025) my schedule extends to 2030, with 2026 and 2027 almost entirely full with little or no wiggle room. With this domino-like setup of projects and travel, there is little room for adjustment. Over several decades I've refined things to suit my idiosyncratic way, and pace, of composing; allowing enough time (with some extra) to create the best work I'm capable of. This creative engine room has been fine-tuned and works extremely well for me, especially since having left university.

Which means though, that an external imposition of change to the schedule can be challenging.

I did accommodate the change in delivery date, and the work was received. But I don't know if the recording project (which prompted the shift in timeline) ever happened. Or if the work has ever been performed. Communication dried up. I can't help but assume the trio were disappointed in the work.

I did really enjoy writing for the specific ensemble. Particularly the sound of the clarinet with mallet percussion. It steered me toward more gentle textures. I think the first movement is strong and beautiful in its way. The second movement (plagiarising the opening piano idea from Atalanta) has some great material and moments, but needed more exploration of possibilities, particularly around the climax.

Programme Note

‍

1. Come Dance, My Love

2. Once More, My Heart

Commissioned by , and dedicated to :Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Professors Abby Lloyd, Tatiana Gorbunova and Mark Boseman

‍