Composer’s Note:

On Balance was written in July, 2013 for the Five College New Music Festival in Amherst, MA, and premiered on September, 8, 2013.

The duet’s parts are complementary, cooperatively creating two polyphonic strands. The unhurried lilt at the beginning grows in intensity through the introduction of embellishments which become more prominent, and through increasing volume. The music returns to its opening mood nearer the end, though a bit more ethereal as it moves to higher ranges of the instruments.