My Compositions
Variations on "In a Sentimental Mood" (2026)
Video coming soon.
This work is a contemporary reimagining of Duke Ellington’s iconic jazz standard. The work consists of eight variations that trace a journey from the song’s traditional jazz roots into increasingly complex and "disorderly" territory as each variation progresses. Along this stylistic trajectory, the music visits the lush harmonies of Impressionism, the mystical textures of Scriabin, and the rhythmic vigor of 20th- and 21st-century composers such as Anton Schoenberg, Charles Ives, Thomas Adès, and Nahre Sol. The set concludes with a high-energy synthesis, weaving Ellington’s themes into the primitive, driving textures of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.
Note to the Performer
This piece is intended to bridge the gap between the classical and jazz traditions, providing challenges and comforts of classical and jazz pianists. For the classical pianist, the comfort lies in the notes provided by the score, and the challenge lies in the structured introduction to improvisation, which remains optional, but highly encouraged. For the jazz pianist, the comfort lies in the opportunities to improvise, while offering the challenge of intricate, modern notation. Throughout the work, several variations offer the performer the choice to either play the written notes or expand upon the provided motifs through their own spontaneous interpretation. The structure follows the original AABA form of the standard, using the two primary themes as the foundation for all development.
Reminiscence (2022)
This piece was awarded Second Prize in the 2024 MTNA National Composition Competition. This is my second composition and it is heavily inspired by Tchaikovsky, Kapustin, and "the lick" (I added the lick 8 times). I wrote this piece between August to December 2022 and revised some of it in June 2023. The main melodic motive (the descending scale) is inspired by Tchaikovsky's "Pas de deux" from "The Nutcracker" and there is much influence from Kapustin in terms of the featured jazz-like textures and harmonies. There are also hints Impressionistic sounds, as well as small moments influenced by Scriabin and Schumann. I also quote a short piano line from “Soy Candela” by the Spanish Harlem Orchestra at one point as an inside joke with a friend.
Rêves magiques (2021)
This is a piece I wrote during the fall semester of my junior year in college in my composition elective. It's my very first composition ever since I had no prior composition training before I took the class. The piece, as the name suggests, is supposed to evoke some sort of mysterious and magical dream, but whatever the dream may be is subjective to each listener and performer. I do not have too much to say for this piece because I don't want to tell the audience what specifically they're supposed to think about when they hear the piece, but rather, imagine whatever it is for themselves.