Tag: chamber music

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New and Upcoming Releases

The single for “Crystallization (A Winter Passacaglia)” is now out on your favorite streaming platforms!

A wintery piano solo, inspired to be written during the 2020 holiday season. Dedicated to my dear friend, Michael Jung, who’s always willing to try anything I throw at him.

What else am I up to…?

A new album in the works!

This upcoming album is in still in its conceptual stage, but my thinking is to include recordings of the following works:

I have to admit that it’s a weird feeling, thinking about recording live musicians again, after this long year of distancing. I’d gotten so used to the idea of relying on myself and my computer for everything! But, while I do wonder if I will know “how to people” again soon enough (lol), I am looking forward to working with my friends and colleagues, making music in person again. And I think this project is a great way to get myself into the groove again. <3

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“Lock & Key Vol II” Now Available!

Enjoy listening to this brand new compilation album of new chamber works, including my haunting tarot-quintet, “The Oracle“!

LOCK & KEY VOL II is the second presentation of five composers drawing from the well of inspiration – in highly heterogeneous ways and from a plethora of sources, yet all united by a common theme: the profound depths of the human experience. The pieces all revel exuberantly: in the natural beauty of Iceland, the nostalgia evoked by a distantly familiar melody, the random augury of a deck of tarot cards, late 19th Century anthems adapted for woodwind quintet, or the kinetic energy of musical gestures. Confidently asserting that all facets and walks of life can be a source of music if you listen closely enough, LOCK & KEY VOL II features brand-new chamber works by Sarah Wallin-Huff, Herbert Deutsch, Kenneth Kuhn, Carol Barnett, and Philippe Kocher.

Album Catalog Page
Find it on your favorite platform here!
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One More Exclusive Track for You!

I’ve decided to add one more track to the Backstage Members exclusive downloads! Not only can Backstage Members get “Crystallization” now, but they will also get an advance recording of the driving chamber work, “Ayre of Grievances” (check out the video here)!

Enjoy, and Happy New Year!

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Pre-Order for “Tonal Eclipse” Now Open!

Announcing the newest electronic/classical album — “Tonal Eclipse”! Pre-orders are currently available on Bandcamp and the official release on all platforms is scheduled for September 1!

Pre-Order for “Tonal Eclipse” Now Open!

Included in this release is the full, Roger Taylor Award Nominated soundtrack for the short film “I Spy a Foodie”! Click the link to get a taste of what’s to come…

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Rehearsal Footage from “(Per)spectives”

This past spring, the Cal Poly Pomona Music and Dance Departments were gearing up to perform modern music with dance in an exiting concert together. Unfortunately Covid-19 hit, and the concert, with everything else, was cancelled. We are hoping to one day revive this effort, though.

In the meantime, the Dance Department put together a wonderful archive of what we had accomplished before the shutdowns. Below, enjoy a rehearsal video from the session when pianist Mike Jung and I were able to join the dancers, playing the first movement of my work “Gypsy Wanderer” as they rehearsed!

A little more insight about this particular project…

Choreography – Kim Gadlin (faculty)
Music Composer and Performance by – Sarah Wallin Huff (faculty)
Music – Gypsy Wanderer: Irreverently
Performers – Francisca Chaparro, Alondra De Leon, Debbie Martin, Kara Rickman, Milan Robertson

The main theme of the dance was the feeling of being tied down, and eventually breaking free from shackles. There were ideas that the dancers were going to interact with the live musicians as they played on stage. I enjoyed how we all would learn phrases of movement and then decide amongst one another to decide who we thought performed it best or portrayed the vision precisely… All who were a part of the piece ensured an open and supportive space which allowed artistry and ideas to flow.

This piece illustrated strong performers attempting to release themselves from confinement. The choreographer had visions of the performers becoming entangled in ribbons trying to break free. The piece was packed with quick footwork and intricate floor work. The music was up-tempo, but lovely. It was very well done by a violinist and pianist; we even had the pleasure of meeting them and dancing to their piece live in the studio. I had high hopes for this piece and grew to love it. A big takeaway for me about this process was, there is beauty in the process of becoming.

Hearing this piece and being able to practice to it live was a whole new experience for all of us. Right away you could see a change in how we approached this dance and it felt amazing…The piece was so close to being finished…Hopefully we’ll be able to come back to the dance in the future since it held a strong presence.

Free-writes and reflections from (Per)spectives ensemble members
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Enjoy a Sneak Peek at a Couple of WIPs

I’ve made a couple of cool demo videos for you to take a peek at these two works I’ve got on the burner right now… 🙂

First, a look at “Ayre of Grievances” for flute, violin, and viola (a digital playback demo of just the opening section):

Second, here’s a short example of a cool sampling piece I’m putting together: “Tonal Eclipse”

Enjoy, and keep an eye out for the finished works soon!

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New Movement for “Nevermore” Available, with Demo

If you’ve enjoyed “The Raven” from my recent suite for viola and piano, Nevermore, then you might be pleased to know I’ve just finished the second movement, “Annabel Lee.”

I think this poem by Edgar Allen Poe might be one of my favorite literary works… 🤔🥰 I tried to keep the sense of innocence and deep sorrow in this musical rendition. There is a third and final movement–“Tell-Tale Heart”–planned for the future, too; so keep an eye out for that. 😉

In the meantime, enjoy the simple demo of “Annabel Lee” below…

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Recording “The Oracle”

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of hearing my “tarot piece,” The Oracle, come to life in Barefoot Recording Studio in Hollywood!

The work is a 12-minute exploration of the human condition as told through the symbology of a tarot deck. It’s written for five musicians, who each represent an important natural element: piano (Tree of Life), violin (Fire), cello (Water), flute (Air), and clarinet (Earth).

Many thanks to the following people for making this possible: Agnes Schwartz (violin), Pola Benke (cello), Liz LaCoste (flute/piccolo), Ryan Glass (clarinet), Masako Klassen (piano), and David Martinez (engineer).

I’ll announce when the recording is ready for release. In the meantime enjoy these photos from our recording session!

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New Single Available

Now available on all your favorite platforms is the single, “La Partita Electronica”!

J.S. Bach gets groovy!

Based on an unaccompanied violin partita variation from the eighteenth century by Bach, layers of electronic elements breathe new life into this classic. Also appearing on this release is “Sonata Moderna (Remastered)” from 2010. “Sonata Moderna” is based on a piece from the seventeenth century (“Sonata sopra la Monica” by Biagio Marini). It was the May 2016 Akademia Winner for Best Ambient/Instrumental Song. Featuring two violins and cello with rock rhythm and chords, the past is united with the present in this driving work.

Enjoy this little amuse-bouche of mashed-up music! 🙂