When I began to work on the recent orchestral commission from the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, as usual, I began composing by outlining a logical structure and detailed description of the chapters. I quickly produced a series of sketches, though aimless and unresolved, but at least ones I could potentially mold into my predetermined narrative. I even had a title.

But something was not right. I found myself knocking at a brick wall and felt the music pulling me in a different direction.

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