https://mailchi.mp/37eeb26d7dbe/prague-premier

I am so excited to share this with you ALL! This has been in the works since 2025 and now is the time to share!

I was invited to compose a new work for Soprano and Orchestra. There are two segments to this invite: 1.Soprano and Orchestra and 2. Soprano and Piano. The title is Chanson~Parfum du Desir for Soprano and Orchestra and Chanson~Parfum du Desir for Soprano and Piano (same piece two versions) Our first premier will be the Soprano and Piano version and there will be a video of the concert that I will share.

Next up, in December we will be the recording the orchestral work for Soprano and Orchestra with the illustrious soprano Bree Nichols and the Nuernberger Symphony Orchestra,Germany. The recording, a Navona label, PARMA Recordings, will be a compilation album with the composers from our concert in Prague. Details coming soon along with another (completely different) exciting recording session and concert… I will aim for sending out newsletters a bit more often, but not too often!

The Invitation

From speeches and letters to poems and prayers, this project explores how women’s voices across time,

cultures, and languages have borne witness, challenged power, and shaped memory.

Composers are invited to create five-minute works for soprano and orchestra inspired by texts written or

spoken by women. Selected texts may be historical or contemporary, literary or archival, and may b e drawn

from public figures, unknown individuals, or personal sources.

This initiative i s led by soprano Bree Nichols and conductor Evan-Alexis Christ, with the participation of the

renowned GRAMMY-winning Nürnberger Symphoniker, and will include:

• A live concert performance o f voice and piano reductions i n Prague with video capture

• A studio recording of each work with full orchestra and voice

The Poetry

The poems were written during the Heirn era (794 – 1185) by Izumi Shikibu and Ono no Komachi in the original language of Japan.

The original poetry was translated into English by Jane Hirshfield and Mariko Aratani and were published in the book,‘The Ink Dark Moon”. The poems I used in “Chanson ~ Parfum du Désir ” are the French translation of “The Ink Dark Moon”, by Jane Hirshfield, translated into French by Geneviève Liautard.

I was in contact with both of these poets/ translators and I am so grateful for both Jane Hirshfield and Genevieve Liautard for their translations and advice during my composition process and to Bree Nichhols for her eloquent understanding of the French language and music.

The following images include the Title Page, Poetry Permissions, Poetry/ Lyrcis I used in my composition & Page 1 of Chanson~Parfum du Desir. The entire work, orchestral and piano version will be available on J.W. Pepper.. coming soon!

I am writing an in depth article regarding the composition process of Chanson~Parfum du Desir and will keep you all posted when it becomes availabl