Kaze(かぜ)
any solo clarinet
approximately 7-8 minutes in duration
completed 02/28/2021 in Baton Rouge, LA
premiered in the Spring of 2021 by Hali Alex at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA.
Not to be confused with the Japanese word for the common cold, which has the same phonetic spelling used in this title.
Kaze’s inspiration comes from two fronts: The first being the movement and lightness of a breeze. Kaze was also inspired by recordings of various Japanese Shinto chants; a few fragments of which are included in the musical material. When listening, the music should hopefully evoke a feeling of lightness and an almost playful energy as the line transitions between slower and more active sections, repeats, and twists upon itself; as if a breeze, or Kaze (かぜ) in Japanese, has begun to blow through the performance space.
This work is dedicated to the memory of one my first composition teachers, Dr. Sydney Hodkinson who passed away in January of 2021. It was thanks to encouragement, advice, and at times brutally honest feedback that I was able to continue on to where I am now and will help me to keep moving forward. Thanks Syd.