Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Opus 103

This is music that occurred to me while out wandering the local hills. There's an element of mystery here that comes of its own. Nature has its secrets and sometimes sings a beautiful, but haunting song. The second movement brings to mind scenes of these hills at night under starlight. One day in the spring of 2011 I was driving in the hill near my home, hoping to take a hike and get a good musical idea for the third movement when I noticed something in the road and pulled over to have a look. It was a large King Snake. I got a stick and gently got him to move off the road. After getting back in my car and driving another mile, this theme suddenly came to me. It's full of confidence and optimism. The middle theme came in a dream a few days later - a serene and beautiful American hymn.