Included in this recital are three bagatelles I wrote for solo piano. They are very short pieces of abstract music which demonstrate a more modern style of writing. I take much influence from Bela Bartok, Igor Stravinsky, Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, and others. A favored technique demonstrated in all three of these pieces is the use of mirrored parts. In a mirrored part, whenever the higher voice moves in one direction, the lower moves simultaneously in the opposite direction. The parts are in constant contrary motion, avoiding monotony by refusing to remain in diatonic harmony.

When I listen to these pieces, the first evokes anger and frustration, the second evokes embarrassment, and the third, an ecstatic joy. Although each piece is independent from the last, played together, I imagine that there is a canon to them. I find it possible to imagine that the first bagatelle is a depiction of a soul frustrated by her own fallen nature, tension arising from the displeasure of her own inadequacy. The second bagatelle follows the story of the first by depicting the Divine Mercy attempting to enter the soul. The soul is stubborn to convince, but once she concedes, the floodgates of mercy open, and she is freed. The third bagatelle then depicts that freedom.

This is not the only way to interpret these pieces; a holier interpretation is all the more welcome than my own. Please be open and attentive to your own heart while listening to these pieces and see what interpretations come to you.

Thank you!

... to the University of St. Thomas for permitting us to rehearse in the Iverson Center for Faith and record in the Chapel of St. Thomas and in Baumgaertner Auditorium.

... to the faculty of the Basilica of Saint Mary for permitting us to record in the Basilica.

... to Paul Schulz for permitting us to record at his home during a pandemic.

... to Irene Domingo for teaching pronunciation for Y Dice el Pastorcico.

... to Dr. Sherstan Johnson and Jaclyn Schwartz for answering countless emails and fulfilling endless requests.

... to Joseph Ortiz for being an incredible and gracious director and editor for my 2021 Composition Recital. Your contribution has been crucial to the completion of this project. God bless you all your days and then some!