Happy to announce that the brand new updated score for my piece “The Child, Bringer of Light” (cello version) is now available from my publisher Oxingale! I completed this work in 2012 for the young composers’ and string players’ workshop with Kaija Saariaho and Anssi Karttunen, hosted by Carnegie Hall in New York. I had a great time working on the piece with cellist Paul Dwyer under their guidance.

This work is really important to me as it was the first time I really felt that I was truly saying something that was 100% me, even though so much of the creative process was influenced by my study of Kaija’s cello pieces. There was some magical combination of authenticity of emotional expression and satisfaction with the technical aspects of the composition process.

The work has had a busy life since that workshop. It’s been performed multiple times by cellists Rachel Mercer, Dobrochna Zubek and Ian Woodman. I made a viola transcription for Claire Poillion, which was taken up and recorded by Marina Thibeault, who has performed it at many concerts. Other violists have reached out to be after hearing Marina’s recording. I made a violin transcription for Ilana Waniuk, which was recently performed in Vancouver by young violinist Jack Campbell. So I’m very proud of this particular musical child.