Three Lakes (2013)

nykelharpa and guitar, 11'

Three Lakes was commissioned by CU Boulder music faculty Ben Teitlebaum and guitarist Patrick Sutton. It was a great experience writing for the beautiful combination of guitar and Swedish folk fiddle the nykelharpa. I had written several pieces including guitar before, but I had never written for the nykelharpa, let alone seen the instrument in person before this collaboration!

The piece is in three movements, each having its own mood and tempo. Movement one has a moderate motion, and its lake is flowing and clear. Movement two is a celebration, like a summer party on the lakeside filled with song and dance. Movement three is the deepest lake, right after sunset, still and dark and very deep.