Pen and Ink

Violin and Piano

Duration: 6'30"

(2019)

In 2019, I collaborated with writer and poet Elena Brokaw. She was in the midst of writing a set of pieces about the loss of her father during the Guatemalan Civil War. While reading them, I felt the grief and loss present in her writing. But in talking with Elena and truly immersing myself in her writing, I found another emotion as well: hope. Together, we selected four of her pieces that encompass the grief and loss that her family was experiencing, but also feelings of hope for the future. “Pen and Ink” reflects the duality of these feelings in four short movements.

The first movement, “El Desfile” is about the march of mourners through the streets of Guatemala. The continually present pulse represents the marching of the people, while the sorrowful melody represents the pain of the marchers.

“Tierra de La Eterna Primavera” (Land of the Eternal Spring) is a nickname for Guatemala. This second movement juxtaposes the beauty of the springtime in Guatemala with the outbursts of anger from the protesters.

The third movement “Told by Form № J 470935” is haunting in nature. It describes the untimely and unjust death of Elena’s father, who was murdered at the hands of authorities.

The last movement, which the entire piece is named after, is titled “Pen and Ink”. It is about working through grief, and reclaiming your life. We do not forget the pain of the past, but life goes on. Like a lullaby, it is soft and reassuring, ending the piece with a feeling of hope.

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It was premiered on April 3rd, 2019 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.