Earth and Green

Program Note: "The only thing I care about is the expression of man's basic emotions: tragedy, ecstasy, destiny." - Mark Rothko Mark Rothko?s paintings have always fascinated to me. The profound, yet understated messages I take from his works have continually inspired me to create as well as reflect. In "Earth and Green" I have attempted to musically capture both the essence and the literal found in Rothko?s work of the same title. In the painting Earth and Green there are two sections; hues of reds and hues of greens. The bold red "Earth" in the painting, which I have entitled Enticing Fires, conveys to me a great struggle full of anxiety, fear, anguish, and rage. The peaceful "Green" in the painting, entitled Calm Reflections, transcends all tribulations previously expressed. The juxtaposition of these two extremes as well as the form and balance of the painting are reflected in the music.