Concerto for Orchestra*
this work has not yet been written – all information forthcoming Program Notes Recording Special Performance Requirements Audio Guide Premiere/Performances Press/Reviews
Catalog Category: Orchestra (only)
RE|Member (orchestra)
Program Notes excerpted from Seattle Symphony premiere notes: For Reena Esmail, Seattle Symphony’s Artist in Residence this season, RE|Member is a chance to explore what the world has gone through: “When I first spoke to Maestro Dausgaard about this piece, we thought it would be opening the 2020 season. We spoke about that feeling of returning to … Read more
Ram Tori Maya (version for full orchestra)
Program Notes Ram Tori Maya is a bhajan by the ancient Indian saint-poet, Barabas, set to a melody by Ninu Majumdar. It speaks about how worldly distractions can prevent us from focusing on what is the most important and most sacred to each of us, and invites us to find that spirit within ourselves, and … Read more
Testament (from Vishwas) – full orchestra version
Program Notes The word vishwas (िवशवास) expresses the concept of fervent belief, or faith, in Hindi. Meera Bai, a celebrated saint-poet from 15th century India, is the quintessential embodiment of vishwas. Though she is forced into a traditional marriage to unite two kingdoms, she believes she is married to the Lord Krishna, a Hindu deity, … Read more
Black Iris
On the retitling of the work: As I wrote this piece, in the fall of 2017, the #metoo movement was raging around me. At that time, I decided to directly title this work #metoo as a challenge — which orchestras would agree to program a work that asked them and their audiences to engage with … Read more
Avartan
Program Notes In Hindustani music, an avartan is a rhythmic cycle. Each avartan returns to its point of origin, while simultaneously moving the music forward into new territory. This work progresses from what I imagine a listener would perceive as characteristically Indian (almost as if it was the transcription of a Hindustani melody and drone), and then moves slowly along the … Read more