Melting

2021

Program Note

In the winter of 2020-2021, during COVID, I wanted to write the saddest music I could think of.

It’s the music of a slow thaw, earth
releasing itself from winter into spring
A spring that comes too soon, too abruptly,
violently — erratically.

This spring, this fictional thaw: is slow. And I,
myself: falling, falling, falling
melting, melting
Let every hurt fall away, let
every hurt heal.

It’s the sound of one long, pandemic exhalation. We’ve been indoors with our thoughts for so long… There are hurts and pains that finally saw the light of day, in here, in these four walls – sometimes to be acknowledged and released, and other times to linger with others. And linger. And linger.

And I,
myself: falling, falling, falling
melting, melting
Let every hurt fall away, let
every hurt heal.

Many thanks to the Soli Ensemble and Alexandra Gardner for their role in the creation of this piece.

About Akshaya Avril Tucker

Akshaya Avril Tucker (she/her) is a composer who draws inspiration from the music and dance traditions of South Asia, having trained as a cellist and Odissi dancer from a young…

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