This Love Between Us: Prayers for Unity (SSAA version)

NOTE: This is the page for the SSAA (treble choir) version of This Love Between Us. For the SATB (original) version please go to This Love Between Us. Program Notes This Love Between Us is a piece about unity. Its seven movements juxtapose the words of seven major religious traditions of India (Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, … Read more

Lacrimosa (from Malhaar: A Requiem for Water)

Program Notes This Lacrimosa interweaves the original Latin text from the requiem mass with the beautiful poetry of William O’Daly. The Lacrimosa begins: “Full of tears shall be that [judgement] day…” But O’Daly’s text asks a broader question: Without the presence of water, around us and inside us, how can we weep? It was this … Read more

Hallelujah (arr. of Leonard Cohen)

Note: I wrote this arrangement of the Leonard Cohen Hallelujah for Vijay to play as part of Street Symphony events. The arrangement has gained so much traction that I decided to list it on the site. Please note: I do not own the rights to this piece — and I do not earn any income … Read more

Zeher (version for cello and string orchestra)

Program Notes The word zeher means poison in Hindi. At the time I was working on this piece, I developed a pernicious case of strep throat, that three separate sets of antibiotics, over more than a month, couldn’t seem to cure. It became increasingly difficult for me to swallow, to speak and even at times, to breathe. … Read more

This Is It (string quartet)

Program Notes In John Kabat-Zinn’s seminal book on meditation Wherever You Go, There You Are, he speaks of how we are always encouraged to look forward, to think into the future — but what if this is it? What if we sat with each moment, savoring it as if it was that special, unique, pinnacle … Read more

Still I Rise (SATB version)

Program Notes see program note for full work here Recording Recording of SATB version is forthcoming — in the meantime, here is the SSAA version: Text (Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. Reprint on a public site not authorized by estate.) Performances This piece was commissioned by Lehigh University Choral Arts for their women’s ensemble, … Read more

I do not know what I know (version for soprano and orchestra)

Program Notes When a person is gaslit, they are taught to not trust their own mind, their memories and reasoning. Their thoughts become rearranged, and with their thoughts, their reality. This can be true for an abused domestic partner, and it can be true for a public confused by disinformation and propaganda. To start toward … Read more

I do not know what I know (version for soprano and piano)

Program Notes When a person is gaslit, they are taught to not trust their own mind, their memories and reasoning. Their thoughts become rearranged, and with their thoughts, their reality. This can be true for an abused domestic partner, and it can be true for a public confused by disinformation and propaganda. To start toward … Read more

Presence

Program Notes Presence was the culminating work of a yearlong collaboration with Austin Classical Guitar — the title of the piece was the theme of ACG’s season. What does it mean to be present with one another? Guitar was my first instrument. I remember sitting in the waiting room before my first guitar lesson as … Read more

one word makes a world

This is a new work, written for cellist Yoshi Masuda. It is an elaboration on the cello solo in movement 3 of my String Quartet (Ragamala). The music for this work will be released along with his new album in 2024. Program Notes one word makes a world emerged from the cello solo in the … Read more

Dhire Dhire (version for SATB)

Program Notes I am constantly drawn to the ‘dohe’ (couplets) of Kabir. His statements are pithy but their meanings are vast. They have been set and sung for hundreds of years in the Hindustani classical tradition, and they seem to meet each generation of performers and listeners in a unique way.  This tiny couplet is … Read more

Trust the Ballot

Program Notes We say the word “suffrage” when discussing voting rights, but do we know what it means? The word has roots in late Middle English and Latin, meaning “intercessory prayer,” the kind of prayer one offers on behalf of another. Trust the Ballot explores this connection, understanding that when we vote we don’t just voice our … Read more