PROGRAM NOTE

Lady Dark takes its title from a set of sonnets (sonnets 127–152) by William Shakespeare that are known as The Dark Lady Sonnets. Unlike Shakespeare’s Fair Youth sonnets, the Dark Lady sonnets are much more sexual and passionate. They are so named The Dark Lady because the poems portray a female figure with black hair and shadowy skin. The work is cast into four continuous movements. Each movement explores the myriad of complex emotions of desire, lust and forbidden love that are expressed in Shakespeare’s sonnets.

2014 Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Composition Competition Winner

2014 New Music@ECU Composition Competition, East Carolina University Winner

2014 Red Note New Music Festival Composition Competition Winner

PERFORMANCE HISTORY

May 8, 2021: Oberlin Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Raphael Jimenez

October 23, 2014: Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Kirk Trevor

March 30, 2014: Illinois State University Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Glenn Block

March 22, 2014: East Carolina University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jorge Richter