Premiered October 20, 2009 by Raul Gomez, violin; Morgan Bartholick, viola; and Susannah Montandon, cello.
Pause and enjoy living. I personally find it too easy to get caught up in my busy lifestyle, to focus on negativity, and to forget what is important in my life. I make an effort to pay attention to the pleasurable qualities of everyday responsibilities. I try not to think of all the material things that I do not have or my overcrowded schedule, but simply enjoy the senses and be content with my current place in life.
The character Gus McGrae from Lonesome Dove shared a similar sentiment when he said, ” . . . the only healthy way to live, as I see it, is to learn to like all the little everyday things, like a sip of good whiskey every evening, or a soft bed, or a glass of buttermilk . . .” I might not enjoy all the same things as Gus, but occasionally I hear a bird sing . . . and it makes me smile.
The composition features bird songs and calls recorded summer 2009 from BREC City Park in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A selection of the recorded bird songs were transcribed, transposed, fragmented, or modified to fit specific musical situations, which in-turn controlled the structure of the piece.
Excerpt:
