false light

for string quartet (2022)
c. 16 minutes

“false light” was written for the JACK Quartet, and was recorded by the ensemble at Ocktaven Studios in Mt. Vernon, NY on September 23, 2023. It received its official premiere by the KIMM Quartet at the University of Michigan on December 2, 2023.

Movements:

1. mysteriously//agitated — [c. 4 minutes]

2. pacing//shocking — [c. 5 minutes]

3. mysteriously, yet, with an ounce of familiarity // weak, exhausted — [c. 7 minutes]

False Light is a set of three miniatures inspired by Chicago artist, Kyree "Spxrit" Saintilus' collection of watercolor paintings of the same name. Throughout the five paintings, the characters stare at the observer, you, with looks of disgust and fear. Why? I had no idea, and this mystery fueled my interest in this piece. The piece is constructed as a collage. Each movement has two sides to it based on its tempi which develop independently from one another. One style is based on the fears and horrors of the created individuals, and the other reflects on the mysterious scenario the characters are avoiding.