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For Jessica

Program Note
In the spring of 2015 I had the pleasure of meeting a phenomenal french horn player named Jessica Pinkham.
After performing on a different work of mine she approached me and asked if I would be interested in writing a
piece specifically for her. A while later Jessica came to me with two poems she had previously written, "The
Volcanologist" and "Biome". Although written as individual works I saw a vague but I felt interesting narrative
structure across the poems and so I agreed to set them for soprano, french horn, and piano. In "The Volcanologist"
I attempt to capture the text very literally about a volcanic eruption and humanity's inability to fully comprehend
the complexity of this amazing planet we inhabit. "Biome" explores a more psychological side of human nature.
While not explicit in its setting, I took the grey and ashy imagery to represent the aftermath of the volcano. But
in this aftermath the inhabits of the city are not dead physically, instead they have shut down mentally becoming
grey like the ash. The piano is incessant throughout this movement in order to portray the ever present weight
of reality. Meanwhile the soprano and horn engage in a constant call and response, frequently overlapping, but
never quite fully connecting.

This work is dedicated to Jessica Pinkham, who has been a fast friend and supporter from the moment we met. I
could not ask for a more dedicated and passionate artist to work with.