Program Note:

Sometimes the Devil Plays Fate is a piece for mezzo soprano solo and an ensemble of fifteen players that sets to music two of Dane Swan’s poems from A Mingus Lullaby: “The one day later” and “Epitaph 8”. In addition, it also sets lyrics from Charles Mingus’ song Eclipse.  “The one day later” is a poem that, despite its repetitive textual patterns and rhythms, can be interpreted in a variety of ways.  It could be considered an expression of fatalistic angst or perhaps one of existential hope, or something in between. Ultimately, I see it as a call for change to end the divisions that exist between people and to recognize our shared humanity. In my musical setting I wanted to capture the depth of expression the poem presents. It therefore returns cyclically in three contrasting settings over the course of the piece. Like Mingus’ Eclipse, Swan’s “Epitaph 8” takes Destiny as its point of departure, exploring the notion of the individual caught up and mesmerized by events that are beyond one’s control. Forces of nature, the alignment of celestial bodies, the collision of lovers, the wrath of immortals and the capricious temptations of the devil, are all things to be contended with.  The music here leads the listener down the path with a dancelike push and pull of multiple rhythmic grooves. Sometimes the Devil Plays Fate was co-commissioned by Brian Current and the New Music Ensemble of the Glenn Gould School, and Joel Sachs and the New Juilliard Ensemble.  Funding for the commission was provided by the Ontario Arts Council.