too difficult to forget

for baritone voice and piano (2026)
c. 15 minutes

The first movement of “too difficult to forget” was co-commissioned by the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Inc. and the Cincinnati Song Initiative, with major support from Lori Laitman, as part of the NATS Mentorship Program for Composers. The second and third movements were commissioned by the George Shirley Vocal Competition and Karen Slack. The complete work was premiered by Justice Yates, baritone, and Mariah Boucher, piano, at the 2026 GSVC Welcome Concert in Ann Arbor, MI on May 16, 2026.

Movements:

1. the remote hunger of droning things — [c. 6 minutes]

2. where shall i pour my dream? — [c. 4 minutes]

3. our faces, warm and fragrant — [c. 5 minutes]

Lately, I have been interested in the many gradients of emotions that can be stirred by various the dreams, nightmares, and other means of imagination caused by our memories. In particular, I have been interested in why some memories become firmly engrained in our minds for our entire lives, and why others slip away without a second thought - even if it’s something we perceive as important. What happens when a memory is too difficult to forget? I found much inspiration and joy through the many poems of Lola Ridge, someone who is also obsessed with dreams and memories. In this three song cycle using Ridge’s poetry, the baritone is forced to endure torturous memories stuck in their mind. Over each movement, the pain becomes increasingly unbearable, running rampant until the desire to recall thoughts begins evaporate.