for flute, viola, harp (2016)

In writing this piece, I was inspired by the concept of dreams and how they seem to take one into a completely alternate, surreal realm. It’s an unfamiliar place, and peculiar – yet mystical and enthralling in its own way. I can’t find a word or phrase to precisely describe the image and feeling that I have so strongly etched in my mind, but this world is almost secretive, like our own hidden little world inside our minds – and thus the phrase “veiled expanse” hints at a magical otherworld that is hidden from our reality, only brought to us in the depths of our subconscious.

Dreams have always been of great interest to me because I tend to have very vivid dreams at certain points in my life – dreams that are so unrealistic and different yet intriguing. I’ve had ones where I am frightened for my life, others where I feel so enchanted after discovering a place surreal and otherworldly – like the idea behind this piece – or ones where I am simply confused as to where I am and what is going on. Regardless, I always want to remember my dreams and the sensations I experienced while in them.

In Veiled Expanse, I explored the concept of facing an unfamiliar realm in a dream by incorporating figures and melodies that sounded mystical and exotic at some points, while haunting and chilling at others. I tried to depict a range of feelings that could be conveyed in dreams – and in particular those of magic and wonder, because those are ones that seem to be the rarest and most priceless that life has to offer.