$60
Duration: 5 min.
Instrumentation: Soprano Saxophone and Piano (Alto Sax Edition available)
Commission/Dedication: written for, commissioned, and premiered by Timothy McAllister & Liz Ames as part of Project Encore, Vol. 2
About the Piece:
"I have a sincere admiration for people who are good at what they do.
Often, I think about what it'd be like to be 'in their shoes:'
What does it feel like to achieve mastery?
To live out one's dream?
To reach and impact others on a large scale?
As someone who is working daily to master my own craft, these kinds of questions intrigue me, and I'm continually inspired by those who've stirred such questions within. Funny enough, I'm sure extraordinary people think little about the impact of their artistry because they're too busy doing it.
This realization is where I—the dreamer I am—am pulled from the depths of my imagination to confront reality as it is. But it's through living vicariously through others—their success, their story, their dream— I've developed such deep appreciation for my own. I'm indebted to those who inspire me because they've shown, not just me, but us all just how possible our dreams are.
And yet, not everyone has a choice.
It's the cruel reality of life that some people have their dreams stripped from them through no true fault of their own. They have no choice but to live vicariously through others: It's the athlete with a torn ACL, the musician with focal dystonia, the parent who didn't have the same opportunity as their children. And now, they live indirectly through others, a part of them forever missing...
I don't mean for this to take a dark turn, as one can find peace in vicarious living. The solace it provides can be as beautiful as the journey to the dream itself.
This piece is a reflection of all these thoughts. It's emotional, cathartic, introspective. It's dedicated to the dreamers, the doers, and those who never had the choice.
I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to compose this work for two extraordinary musicians: Timothy McAllister and Liz Ames.
As a composer, I thought I'd get away from the nerves that come with performing, but that fear is only replaced by the fear of a composer hearing their work performed for the first time (or second, or third, etc.) I find myself thinking about what they'd think and do as they rehearse and premiere my music; I guess you can say I find myself living vicariously through the performers!
When asked to write a piece for Project Encore, Vol. 2, I didn't want to write a classic, "bombastic" finale to cap off a recital program. I'm much more intrigued by the pieces that make me think, long after I've left the concert hall, and those pieces tend to be quite slow and emotional.
This work isn't short of it's virtuosity, however. Nor is is short of...anything really. This work is a tapestry of emotions because it's a reflection on an aspect of life, and life is emotional.
I invite you to immerse yourself in this musical journey, and I hope it resonates with you as much as it did with me during its creation.
All the best,
Ephraim"
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