The fierce, unyielding beauty of New Mexico’s landscape inspired Land Meeting Sky. Upon viewing this untamed land, one cannot help but realize the real balance of things. ZENITH is a description of the sun climbing to and descending from its peak in the sky and the waves of heat that radiate from the plains. CUMULONIMBUS is an approaching thunder storm that rapidly builds in intensity. BLAZING TWILIGHT describes a desert sunset. Finally, in MOON SHADOWS, cello and flute act as moonlight, and melodies outline long, black moon shadows.

For Susan Rotholz and Eliot T. Bailen, 1987
Premiered October, 1987 at the Young People’s Chamber Music Club (MacPhail Center for the Arts), Minneapolis, MN