Commissioned by the 2025 International Honens Piano Competition with the generous support of Irene & Walt DeBoni
Instrumentation
Solo piano
Duration
c. 8 minutes
Programme Notes
I write this piece at a time of extreme political and environmental uncertainty , as cracks begin to appear in the foundations of our society . Abandon is in abundance. My home country of Canada finds itself in a sudden existential crisis. The most influential economy withdraws from the world in what may be our final years to mitigate the most severe adverse effects of climate change, while my friends living there lose their homes to unprecedented climate catastrophes. We continue to proudly tear our only planet apart for resources that do little to improve the quality of our lives or the viability of our home. I fear that by the time we discover the gem hiding within these fractured surfaces, it may be too late to revive, protect and cherish it. But I also take solace in knowing that light always finds its way through the fractures.