Op. 10

Euphoric Dawn

for Symphony Orchestra

2021 || Difficulty 4 || ca. 8:30

Euphoric Dawn is a story of perseverance and hope amidst the hardship and despair of the 2020 COVID pandemic. The work was recognized as the winner of the 2021-2022 University of Texas Concerto Competition—selected by Maestro Farkhad Khudyev, who describes the piece as “beautiful, honest, and alive”.

  • 2 Flutes (2nd dbl. Piccolo), 2 Oboes, English Horn, 2 Clarinets in Bb (2nd dbl. Bass Clar.), 2 Bassoons

    4 Horns in F, 3 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones (1 Bass Trombone), Tuba

    Timpani, 3 Percussionists

    Piano, Harp

    Strings

Full Set: $99.99
Score Only: $29.99

Program Notes

Euphoric Dawn is a set of variations on a cinematic theme I composed in late 2020, representing the playful nature of the sun at daybreak. The piece illustrates the calming emergence from the shadows of grief, pain, and solitude into a bright and exciting future—a metaphor for freedom from the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. The dark string chords in the beginning, accompanied by atmospheric percussion, create the dim moment before dawn, only to be broken by a joyous statement in the much brighter D ionian mode.

Writing Euphoric Dawn helped me maintain a sense of light amidst the overwhelmingly dark times during the pandemic lockdowns. The piece is our escape into a brighter tomorrow, and gives us hope that despite the darkness, we will be triumphant once again.

World Premiere

Premiere: May 2nd, 2022

The University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Gabriela Mora Fallas & Maestro Farkhad Khudyev.