Media
Program Notes
Your fate is your destiny. Your fate is what your tomorrow looks like, the kind of person you are, how you live, and when you will return. Can you control your destiny? Can you change the future? Or is it all predetermined by uncontrollable forces in the universe? This work that lies before you seeks to explore the concept of fate, and what we, as humans, have found or created to understand or predict our unknown, destinies.
The first movement is titled Horoscope which is an astrological chart representing the positions of the sun, moon, planets, stars, and other heavenly bodies. Horoscopes have used these charts as a tool for divination, personality analysis, and prediction. It is said that by seeing how these heavenly bodies are placed at the time of a person's birth, you can determine the kind of person theu will be. The most familiar chart we use today is the Zodiac signs (I'm a Libra). In this movement, I seek to depict space and exploring the heavens. Enjoy the immersive journey of flowing through space-bound harmonies as driving triplets and eighth notes flies you through the universe.
Next comes Tarot. Tarot comes in a deck of 78 cards used for divination and guidance. Each card provides unique insight into how you should go about the next steps of your life. Some have even used these cards to predict what to expect next in your destiny. There are many cards, each with their own character and lesson. This made it particularly tricky for me to know how to properly depict them through music. This brought me to a fun inspiration. In the Disney Movie, "The Princess and the Frog," We are met with the main antagonist Dr. Facilier. In his musical number "Friends on the Other Side," he is shown giving predictions and guidance using Tarot cards. This song is one of Disney's finest, so I just had to take influence for this movement. This upbeat, jazz-inspired movement depicts the magic and wonder these cards hold and how one may use it for twisted purposes.
Last, but certainly not least, is Fortuna, The Goddess of Fate and Fortune. This epic closer of a movement depicts how fate is unstoppable, and we are all under the mercy of the wheels of our own destinies. The movement opens with striking octaves in the piano depicting bells of fate that will ring again at the end of the piece. Throughout the movement, you may hear references to the popular orchestral work by Carl Orff, Carmina Burana. This god-fearing movement ultimately shows that there is only helplessness to trying to change your own destiny.
Movements
i. Horoscope
ii. Tarot
iii. Fortuna
Co-Commissioned by Emily Cook and Hera Trio
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