Program Notes

Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,

The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;

But then begins a journey in my head,

To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired:

For then my thoughts, from far where I abide,

Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,

And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,

Looking on darkness which the blind do see:

Save that my soul’s imaginary sight

Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,

Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night,

Makes black night beauteous and her old face new.

    Lo! Thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind,

    For thee and for myself no quiet find.

-William Shakespeare     

Apparitions of the Night is a musical depiction of the thoughts that race through our heads as we try to fall asleep at night. The rapidly changing texture, tempo, and drama of the piece portrays our emotions as we go through this process. The music is an intricate collage of recurring ideas, ephemeral moments, and morphing harmonic landscapes.

The music of my favorite composers often plays in my mind as I try to sleep at night. Although no musical quotations were used in this piece, some sections are strongly indicative of the styles of different composers.