Lava Cake (2024)

Instrumention: Tuba/Euph Quartet
Estimated Performance Time: 4:00
Price: $25

Lava Cake was commissioned by the Keystone Quartet and recorded on their album Keystone Kitchen. This album features a collection of new works, each inspired by a different meal or culinary experience. For me, composing always begins with a story or a concept, and the narrative behind Lava Cake centers on the experience of indulging in something irresistibly sweet.

In the first half of the piece, I aimed to capture the sensation of savoring that sweet treat—rich, indulgent, and full of flavor. To convey this, I used extended harmonies and jazz-inspired progressions, which create a warm, lush sound that mirrors the pleasure of eating something decadent. The music flows in a way that feels both inviting and luxurious, echoing the sense of enjoyment.

As the piece progresses into the second half, the mood shifts dramatically. Here, I sought to express the inevitable consequence of overindulgence: the discomfort of eating too much sugar. The music becomes more dissonant, fragmented, and restless, mirroring the feeling of a stomach ache and the regret that follows excess. The once-sweet harmonies now feel strained and uneasy, reflecting the contrast between pleasure and its aftermath.