Commissioned by Young Concert Artists, Inc. for Charlie Albright
I started writing ’Til it was dark in the summer of 2010. While searching for ideas, I began recalling past summers, summers I enjoyed with friends when I was a kid.
’Til it was dark is what emerged from those memories. The work is in three movements: Break, “Three more minutes!”, and Important Things. Break depicts the beginning of summer when school lets out—and the utter joy my friends and I felt when the last bell of the year rang. “Three more minutes!” is a more specific memory. When I was playing outside with the other kids on my block, my dad would often come to announce, “Three more minutes!” or “Three-minute warning!” Then he would walk away. With a minute left, he would come back, and look at his watch until time was up. He was the only parent who did this. Finally, Important Things recalls quieter moments shared with friends, when you wanted to say something that was on your mind...but of course, never did.
This piece is dedicated to Ian Murray.
Performance below by Lee Dionne at Sprague Hall at the Yale School of Music.
2022
This work was commissioned by Benjamin Beilman in 2021.
2021
Commissioned by Young Concert Artists for: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Jeremy Denk, Ji, George Li, Anne-Marie McDermott, Ursula Oppens, Lise de la Salle, Paul Shaw, Louis Schwizgebel, and Andrew Tyson
2020
Commissioned By The Bromsgrove International Musicians Competition for Amy Dickson
2010
Commissioned by Young Concert Artists, Inc. for Charlie Albright
2008
Premiered by Hans Boepple at Sonoma State University
