Composition

Notes

When Kathleen Supové asked me for a piece about running, my first thoughts were of the mental state of the runner rather than the actual running. I am not a runner, but some who are have spoken about going in and out of the “zone,” where the legs keep pumping but the thoughts drift. The steady but independent beats of the heart, breath, and feet may come in and out of focus. The pace of participants in a race may compete for attention with a runner’s internal metabolic rhythms.

Running Thoughts reflects some of this shifting focus. With a steady written tempo throughout, the durations of notes and patterns weave a gently rocking tapestry of conflicting tempi vying for attention. Throughout the piece, one may hear gradual warming up, distraction of inner unrelated thoughts, refocus on the business of actually running, suddenly urgent competition, and perhaps the exuberant completion of a race.
Running Thoughts is dedicated to Kathleen Supové, whose artistry and adventurous spirit are an inspiration to all.