Nympholepsy (2004) [6'30"]

Presentation history:
- Premiere: Sara Hydo, neoPhonia Ensemble, Atlanta, 2/15/05
- Sara Hydo, Graduate Recital, Atlanta, GA 2/2/07

In mythology, Nympholepsy meant a state of frenzy afflicting any man who looked at a nymph, but now it has come to mean a state of frenzy afflicting anyone who holds a desire for an unattainable ideal. In this piece, the solo flute represents both the nymph (or ideal) and the frenzy (or pursuit of the ideal). The musical gestures sweep up, only to be grounded again, and the ideal comes so close we can almost grasp it, only to fly away before we can.

Score (.pdf)

Recording: Sara Hydo, flute