“in flow”, the opening work of my hour long Flow Cycle for Strings, explores gradual shifts in color and expressivity in a constantly moving and evolving musical thread. The music contains an equal emphasis on both long, evolving gestures and the local push-pull of motifs. This piece was written for Andrea Schultz, to whom it is dedicated.

First performance April 7, 2006 at the Tenri Cultural Institute, New York by Andrea Schultz.   Composed 2005 in Dar es Salaam and 2006 in Oberlech and New York City. Duration 7 minutes.

About the Flow Cycle

“intriguing, enigmatic and eloquent,” (Bruce Hodges, Music Web UK)

The Flow Cycle is influenced by Islamic Mosaics, Gnawa music of Morocco, Albert Camus' L'Étranger, and the Flow concept of Csíkszentmihályi.  While the first work "in flow" for solo violin uses an expansive linear approach to compose 'flow' of unrelated materials, each subsequent work (Shadow Flow for viola, Moroccan Flow (unfolding from unity) for 'cello, Duo Flow for violin and 'cello, and "à cause du soleil" Flow Trio for String Trio)  uses a sectional approach to create a mosaic-like experience of flow that is reflected in each of the works, which can be performed separately.