Ayn Balija Premieres Rising on the Wings of Dawn for Viola

Rising on the Wings of Dawn is an image from Psalm 139 which inspired this solo piece. It received its world premiere performance by violinist Wanchi, and I created the new version for viola in close consultation with violist Ayn Balija for this premiere.

I have been partial to this psalm for some time and created another piece inspired by it for soprano and organ called And Night Will Shine As Day. It seemed especially apt to return to its comforting images while the Covid pandemic was raging and we were in a time of great sorrow. Psalm 139 speaks of the intimacy of being known by God through these metaphors. I composed Rising on the Wings of Dawn with a rising shape in its structure, including melodic design, type of flow, and prominent harmonics. The overtone series itself creates a magical vibration as the fundamental and harmonics create a glowing shimmer.