Distant Places

“Alpha Centauri” premiered at the University of Virginia in 2000. I’ve long had a fascination with the space program. Alpha Centauri is the galaxy nearest our own; this piece represents my musical version of what it would be like to travel there. “Americana” is a blues version of a motif I wrote for the third movement of my concerto, which premiered in 1996. I’ve used techniques such as hammer-ons and taps from my electric days for this one. “Zhaojun’s Lament” is transcribed from traditional Chinese pipa music. As a student of Asian culture, particularly qi gong and kung fu, I loved the linear melody of this piece, the mood it evokes, and the freedom to move around within it. There are several Spanish-influenced tracks: “Rumba Flamenca”, “Variations on a Fantasia by Juan Serrano” and “Farewell 2001”. The guitar has such a rich history in Spain. I was able to travel there in 2000, where I witnessed the roots of flamenco and the culture it invokes. “With You” is a modern classical piece for solo guitar, written about the feeling of being with your special someone. “Shadow Whispers to Light” is an old musical idea I once transcribed as a clarinet and bass duet. I expanded it and returned it to the electric guitar for this recording. “Age of Fire” is a piece that draws on themes, using electric guitar with a variety of effects, “Age of Fire” dramatizes “Revelation”. I laid down the guitar tracks over MIDI orchestral parts. “The Forgotten One” was recorded while on tour in 1989. Jeff and Clint, my bandmates at the time, were a huge influence on my musical identity today.