For Chamber Orchestra & Solo Piano
Commissioned and world-premiered by ROCO, LACO, and NCCO
TOTAL ECLIPSE
I. RA | II. COSMIC DUST | III. SOLAR VIEWING
ORCHESTRA
Flute | Oboe | Clarinets in Bb (doubling Bass Clarinet) | Horn in F | Trumpet in C | Percussion (1 player) | Solo Piano (amplified) | Strings* (doubling tiny bells)
Percussion: Timpani, Toms, Tam-Tam, Tubular Bells, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, Drumset
PROGRAM NOTES
TOTAL ECLIPSE weaves together the cosmic majesty of a solar eclipse with humanity’s ancient and modern relationships to this celestial phenomenon. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Egyptian sun god Ra, the work opens with a dialogue between piano and orchestra that evokes power and the spectacle of celestial bodies in motion. As the music progresses, it enters a contemplative realm where time seems to suspend itself, exploring the mysterious space between light and shadow. The gradually shifting harmonies mirror the subtle changes in atmospheric light during an eclipse’s approach. At the same time, the piano weaves delicate patterns suggesting particles of cosmic dust catching the sun’s diminishing rays. The work culminates in celebrating the communal experience of eclipse viewing, building from quiet anticipation to a fiery display of color. The piano serves as both a storyteller and a connecting point, sometimes merging with the orchestra to create celestial texture while standing apart as an observer of these incredible natural phenomena.
The genesis of this piece emerged from a serendipitous moment shared with acclaimed pianist Lara Downes, for whom this work is written. During our early discussions about this potential collaboration, the solar eclipse of 2024 was about to start. After pondering the theme for a long time, it felt like it came to us.