At the River —2005

At the River was composed for the Riverside Symphonia, with a Project Serving Artists Grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Mariusz Smolij conducted the premiere in Lambertville, NJ.

Program Note

At The River captures my impressions of Lambertville, my new home, through instrumental music and recorded interludes: interviews with area residents mixed with environmental sounds. “Landscape with Voices,” was inspired by the topography, architecture and history of the region. “We Gather at the River,” a reflection on Marty Luther’s memorial ceremony, testifies to the power of community, good will, and the memory of loved ones who have passed on. “Music Circus” evokes the nostalgia of celebrations past and present, and observes the spirit of individualism and eccentricity that gives this town its local color. While the score is sometimes simple and transparent, it is often layered in texture to create a more cinematic effect, which betrays my belief that music is inherently about emotion and drama. A side note: most of the interviews were conducted before a note of music was written as a means to get to know the true spirit and nature of the town.

Movements

I. Landscape with Voices
II. We Gather at the River
III. Music Circus