Self-Talk

Self-Talk (2018, arr. 2024) is a piece about the stories we tell ourselves—our inner voice, our commentary on our own actions and emotions. Each movement depicts a different manifestation of self-talk. The first movement, “Fable,” musically illustrates how one might learn about themselves over time through trial and error. The rhythmic material of this movement was constructed from a line of poetry from Jim Harrison’s Suite to Fathers: “I was a fable to myself.” The second movement, “Transformation,” explores how one's perspective shifts over time, embodied by the melodic transformations heard after each musical interruption. The final movement, “Pursuit,” celebrates progress toward a dream or goal and the unexpected twists and turns one might experience in pursuit of it.