Herança: Reverie

Premiered at the Atlantic Music Festival by the AMF chamber ensemble

This piece started as a daydream while I was out on a walk. Earlier that day, I had come across the

concept of genetic memory. It is a concept in psychology that theorizes that certain memories can be

inherited through generations. I wondered how it would be if that applied to music.

The ethereal, sparser sections act as bridges between two distinct folk styles. The first draws from the

rich traditions of Chôro and Maxixe from Brazil, characterized by their lively, chromatic melodies and a

sixteenth, eighth, sixteenth note pattern in the bass. This Chôro pattern holds significant importance, often

considered a foundational element of Brazilian music. In contrast, the second style takes inspiration from

the energetic rhythms of Joropo from Venezuela, featuring maracas and seamlessly transitioning between

3/4 and 6/8 time signatures.

Throughout the composition, the bridge sections symbolize my journey through reverie. I aimed to

convey an effect reminiscent of a music box, with delicate patterns evoking nostalgia, enriched by

fragments of material. At the piece's conclusion, I hoped to evoke the fading of the music box, signaling the

gentle conclusion of the reverie, and punctuated by the inclusion of the Chôro rhythmic pattern.