Moments

Program Notes

Moments is a three-movement suite for harp and dance. It was composed for Ashley Jackson who gave its premiere in December 2021 at the Museum of Art and Design, New York, NY. The work was always intended as both a work of concert music, and as a dramatic work for dance, and this shaped much of the musical character. Choreography created by Kelly Knox was performed by dancers Nathaniel Hunt and Allie Gee in August 2022, in a staging taped at the Performance Garage, Philadelphia, PA.

Moments doesn’t follow any storyline, but its movements each try to capture a specific mood and energy. Movement I, “Awakening,” has visceral intensity and physicality. Its opening arpeggio surges to a high, brittle, peak. This figure then spills over and rebounds like a wave, its energy constantly transferring into different ostinatos that roll and weave across the movement. Movement II, “Circles,” is slightly whimsical and improvisational. One hand plays a steady pattern in the harp’s middle register while the other crosses above and below to articulate melodic fragments or play singing bass tones. Movement III, “In the Butterfly’s song I hear your name,” is tender and intimate. Here the harp’s dulcet strings hum in a gentle lullaby, and the movement closes with a winding coda where rippling arpeggios mimic the fluttering of wings.

— Daniel Temkin