written for Salastina Sounds Promising

Recorded at UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s Lani Hall

Maia Jasper-White and Kevin Kumar; violins

Duration: 8.5 minutes

Program Notes:

“in a past life” is inspired by the idea that it is human nature to indulge in superstitions. Whether in the form of guardian angels, a sixth sense, reincarnation, or ghosts, every culture and religion has in common these notions of the supernatural, acting as a way to make sense of our existence as beings with intense emotions. This piece uses and develops musical material from the Baroque composer Bernardo Pasquini’s Sonata No. 2 for two harpsichords. I approached Bernardo’s work through the idea that violin 1 acts as the “real” or “human” character and violin 2 acts as the “ghost”, which musically haunts the other violin. This haunting effect is achieved through various musical ideas and playing techniques that highlight eerie, uncanny, qualities associated with ghosts and the deeply emotional and goosebump-indulging thoughts that come along with the paranormal's relationship to grief and loss. While I may never know if I’m related to Bernardo Pasquini, I find comfort in the idea that he is watching over me as I write music. And while I may not believe in ghosts, I can’t deny that the sound of my grandma singing at church entered my mind when visiting the cathedrals in Rome where Bernardo played the organ, sending chills down my spine.