for Viola and Harp

approximately 6 minutes and 45 seconds

Psithurism was written Winter 2024, inspired by a midnight walk, and the “psithurism” swirling around me. The word “psithurism” means “a rustling or whispering sound, such as leaves in the wind”. This piece is not traditional music nor disorganized sound. It is an abstract medium in between simply sounds and music—the aural manifestation of mood.

The audience should listen for the creeping in of the night in the beginning of the piece, then the active yet quiet bustle of the nocturnal animals, and the peaceful exit of the night, with the slight rustle of leaves from the wind. I utilize multiple techniques to achieve such a sound, such as prés de la table (PDLT) for a more muted sound and bisbigliando for a fluttering, rustling sound on the harp, or tremolo, the usage of the mute, and sul tasto on the viola for various timbre.