Beyond the Clouds (2025)
Instrumentation: 3.3.3.3 - 4.3.3.1, 3perc, hp, str
In the summer of 2025, while composing Sól ek sá (Sun I Saw) for a seven-piece ensemble, I envisioned adapting its core concepts for a large orchestra to fully exploit its vast sonic and textural canvas. This spark of inspiration culminated in Beyond the Clouds, a symphonic exploration of the interplay between the contrasting moods of rain and sun. At its core, the piece mirrors the eternal struggle between opposites: the chaotic uncertainty of rain juxtaposed with the warmth and hope embodied by the sun.
Our journey begins in a mysterious, obscured world, where clouds shroud the landscape and an air of enigma drifts across the waters. The rain starts to fall, softly at first, but soon gaining intensity as it swells into a fierce storm. As the tempest rages on, wind and water merge in a wild, unrelenting dance, with chaos reigning supreme. However, the turmoil gradually begins to subside, and the air grows still. For a brief, fleeting moment, it seems as though the worst has passed, and a sliver of sunlight breaks through the clouds, offering a fragile sense of hope. Yet, this glimmer of optimism is only an illusion — the storm is far from over yet...
Recorded for Ablaze Records by conductor Mikel Toms and the Brno Philharmonic in June 2026, the work is scheduled for release on the album Orchestral Masters, Vol. 13 in 2027.