​The Summer House

Inspired by summers in upstate New York, it evokes the feeling of a distant storm rising and fading in gentle waves of light and movement.

One evening, as we sat outside, a summer storm made its way toward us. The memory of that storm stayed with me. I heard it not as thunder and rain, but as music unfolding — filled with texture, rhythm, and quiet atmosphere.

Standing there, I could feel the movements in the air. It began with a low, distant rumble; the rain fell in starts and stops — softly at first, then building in intensity. Suddenly, the storm paused.

The wind began to play a melody through the woods, singing to someone in the night. Just as I thought it was over, the storm turned and came back — dancing in the sky, proclaiming, “I am here, one more time.” I ran inside and began to write.

Score:  Flute / Bb Clarinet / Piano / Violin / Cello