Instrument: Piano
Hometown: New Brighton, Minn.
Piece: Eric Ewazan — A Suite from The Cloud Forest I. The Resplendent Quetzel
Why did you choose this piece?
I chose The Resplendent Quetzal from Eric Ewazen's The Suite from The Cloud Forest because there was something magical about the piece to me. I love the melodies, and the changes in color. I love the way this piece seamlessly merges from flowing, fast, bright sounds to a hushed, quiet, and serene tone. It's as if the flowing right hand disappears into nothingness only to reemerge a few moments later. The Resplendent Quetzel is a rainforest bird, and I think the music beautifully captures that image. You can almost hear the chirps and calls of the Quetzel as it flits among the trees.
This piece is also special to me because it was written just a few years ago by a professor at Juilliard. As someone who usually plays Chopin or Beethoven, being able to communicate with the composer is a very unique experience. I am grateful that he was willing to share the sheet music with me before it was published.
Music truly can express beauty in ways words can never describe. Thus, discovering and learning this piece has been a magnificent experience for me and it is such a joy to share it with you.
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