Bright Music (for Daniel Catán)

Flute (doubling percussion), clarinet (doubling percussion), vibraphone, piano, 2 violins, viola (doubling percussion), and cello

I studied composition with the incredible Mexican opera composer, Daniel Catán (1949-2011), for half a semester before he passed away suddenly.  He was an incredible human being who, through his compositions, wanted to take as many people on a beautiful journey as he could, and he cared deeply for all of his students as both people and fellow composers.  He was gracious, challenging, and often hilarious.  This little piece for chamber ensemble was my way to grieve for this incredible artist and human being who taught me a lot about finding my own voice as a composer and left just when I was gaining the courage he was trying impart to me.

The first movement, “Elegy,” combines a tune based on the letters of his name with a three-note motive that represents the phrase “Daniel Catán, always.” It rises to a climax that features a passage from his 1996 opera, Florencia en el Amazonas, that I caught a production of in Germany years before I got to study with him. The second movement, “Epilogue (Gratitude),” was my way to sort-of watch Daniel disappear off into the distance with our gratitude for his life and incredible artistry left behind. I’ve since gone on to see that opera of his I saw produced for the first time at The Met for the first time (something I wish my mentor would have been able to enjoy himself).

 Gracias por todo, Señor Catán. Te echaremos de menos.

Bright Music (for Daniel Catán) was premiered by the University of Texas at Austin New Music Ensemble.

Performed by the University of Texas at Austin New Music Ensemble.