Two Journeys

Written for Eight Strings and a Whistle, Third Eye and the Inward Journey (Two Journeys) represents separate but connected journeys towards self-awakening, awareness, enlightenment and greater spirituality.

The first Journey, Third Eye, begins with a solo flute line; a long, mid-range F# (one of the more mystical-sounding flute tones, to me). Quickly flowing from that F# is a rapid group of six* repeating notes. This solo represents a brief ceremonial calling- willingness -to open and seek one’s inner truth. Thus, the odyssey can begin.

The three instruments share similar energy- the viola and cello vibrating wood via bowed or plucked strings, the flute using life breath to vibrate a silver tube.

Throughout the piece, longer stretches of uneven time signatures and differing lengths of sustained notes enable listeners to experience a feeling of being in the moment without measuring time as we do in the physical plane.

Third Eye ends much like the opening with a single suspended flute note, but now with a high E. A seventh above the opening tone, the higher E symbolizes the seventh chakra (the crown chakra) which relates to pure consciousness.

The Inward Journey is a very sustained, slow-moving, meditative and probing experience musically, as it is the actual journey (rather than a description) of leaving your world, the physical, the Earth plane, and all things familiar, including your comfort zone...at times. The journey is hypnotic and it might 'test' your patience, as some phrases don't resolve more immediately as we experience in our popular (and much of Classical) music culture. Nonetheless there is an energy coming through, which overrides the initial Patience Stage- waiting/trying to hear or feel something/settling our thoughts/letting go of where we are, as we begin to transition in order to move into 'being in the moment'. The ending of this particular journey feels mystical to me.

• Aug 07, 2019
  Upcoming Cuban Premiere