Commissioned by the Kansas City Symphony
"A challenging piece of subtle movement" -The Kansas City Star
I recently visited the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, a haunting experience that left me feeling upset and disturbed. However, I was also inspired by her optimism and faith in humanity despite seeing the very worst of it. Inside the house, several quotes from her diary are displayed on the walls, and visitors are able to view pages of the original manuscript. I was particularly moved by this quote: “Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.” These words, written by an adolescent girl enduring harrowing circumstances, heartbreakingly capture a universal truth: that in darkness there is light, and in light, darkness. A Single Candle is my attempt to explore the depth of that darkness and the light that can defy it.
Premiered by Michael Stern and the Kansas City Symphony in June 2014; subsequent performance by the Milwaukee Symphony
2018
Commissioned by the Lake George Music Festival with support from the New York State Council for the Arts
2015
Written for the Amarillo Symphony and the Manhattan Chamber Players
2010
Commissioned by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for Paul Ferington
2009
2011 Aspen Music Festival Jacob Druckman Award
2008
Premiered by JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
