Program Notes

Defiance: Essay for Orchestra celebrates the values of diversity and inclusion to which the world’s interconnected societies aspire. Echoing the cultural anthropophagy movement—the incorporation of diverse cultural influences into a vibrant, reciprocal mosaic—Defiance advocates for multiculturalism as a path towards an equitable future.

Structured as a musical essay, Defiance responds to contrasting musical and extra-musical influences, arguing for pluralism in opposition to contemporary monoculturalism. Starting softly, bright melodies and flourishes cascade kaleidoscopically through a vividly colorful atmosphere, punctuated by the celesta and metallic percussion. Motives coalesce into bold melodies in the strings and brass, before giving way to joyful woodwind interplay. Finally, brass fanfares and the pulsing percussion drive the orchestra to a defiant conclusion.

Defiance is dedicated to maestro Ricardo Averbach and the Miami University Symphony Orchestra who commissioned it to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the orchestra's founding.

10 minutes | 2.2.2.2 / 4.2.0.0 / Timp. 2 Perc. Cel. / Strings | 2023