Featured Works
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The word Overlooking has two definitions – an outlook from a high vantage point and the failure to notice something. This project approaches both definitions in musical and extramusical terms, contemplating the science of the climate crisis in a narrative of subtly but inevitably deteriorating patterns.
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Climate scientists warn that the process of anthropogenic climate change is becoming a positive feedback loop, one in which each warming of the planet sparks other factors that further warm the planet. Formed by musical feedback loops, this piece continually gains momentum until the cycles can no longer be furthered.
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You are standing on a hilltop staring out at a brilliant evening sky, reflecting on your past, remembering moments that you once took for granted, wondering what the future will hold, and asking yourself what it really means to be human, what it means to be a part of the world. Perhaps, in the back of your mind, you hear a melody.
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How do we make the best of a terrible situation? This is what I asked myself as I set out to create Fanfare for Found Objects. In the absence of live performances during the pandemic, I made my own instruments - glasses, dishes, trash cans, even power tools - and wrote a piece entirely for household objects.
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“With any luck, we’ll be fine,” were the words uttered by an orthopedic surgeon after he’d operated on my wrist, which I’d broken in a biking accident. Since then, these words have become an oft-repeated phrase by my family and friends, used to describe a multitude of situations that will likely work out, but might just go terribly wrong.
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For one week in April 2020, I sat on a log in the in the middle of the woods for three hours a day. The forest inspired an age-old sense of awe in me. Each time I took my position, I would breathe a deep sigh of relief. Forest Melodies, performed here by flutist Mimi Stillman, is the product of my outdoor observations there.
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Complete Works
Orchestra and Large Ensemble
Essay for orchestra, 13 minutes, 2022-23
Lifted From Oblivion for orchestra, 7 minutes, 2022
Endings, Beginnings for orchestra, 41 minutes, 2021
With Any Luck We'll Be Fine for orchestra, 6 minutes, 2021
The Optimist's Fanfare for orchestra, 6 minutes, 2020
Fanfare for Found Objects for found objects, 5 minutes 2020
Fanfare to Uncertain Times for orchestra, 5 minutes, 2020
Cello Choir for cello ensemble, 6 minutes, 2018
Lifted From Oblivion for orchestra, 7 minutes, 2022
Endings, Beginnings for orchestra, 41 minutes, 2021
With Any Luck We'll Be Fine for orchestra, 6 minutes, 2021
The Optimist's Fanfare for orchestra, 6 minutes, 2020
Fanfare for Found Objects for found objects, 5 minutes 2020
Fanfare to Uncertain Times for orchestra, 5 minutes, 2020
Cello Choir for cello ensemble, 6 minutes, 2018
Chamber
Blank Monument for viola and piano, 10 minutes, 2023 [in progress]
Annotations for wind quintet, 8 minutes, 2023
Rule of Two for string octet, 12 minutes, 2023
Cadenzas and Metamorphosis for piano trio and percussion, 10 minutes, 2023
D.960 for piano trio, 14 minutes, 2023
Smoke Rising for two violas, 8 minutes, 2023
Overlooking for piano and percussion, 25 minutes, 2022
Imperfect Symmetry for string trio, flute and piano, 11 minutes, 2022
Positive Feedback Loop, 6 minutes, 2021
Song of the Wind for percussion quartet, 16 minutes, 2021
Strong Coffee for Pierrot ensemble, 9 minutes, 2021
Mosaics for piano, cello and clarinet, 8 minutes, 2019
In Deepest Night for string quartet, piano and percussion, 10 minutes, 2019
The Butterfly for string quartet, 4 minutes, 2016
Duet for two cellos, 3 minutes, 2016
Annotations for wind quintet, 8 minutes, 2023
Rule of Two for string octet, 12 minutes, 2023
Cadenzas and Metamorphosis for piano trio and percussion, 10 minutes, 2023
D.960 for piano trio, 14 minutes, 2023
Smoke Rising for two violas, 8 minutes, 2023
Overlooking for piano and percussion, 25 minutes, 2022
Imperfect Symmetry for string trio, flute and piano, 11 minutes, 2022
Positive Feedback Loop, 6 minutes, 2021
Song of the Wind for percussion quartet, 16 minutes, 2021
Strong Coffee for Pierrot ensemble, 9 minutes, 2021
Mosaics for piano, cello and clarinet, 8 minutes, 2019
In Deepest Night for string quartet, piano and percussion, 10 minutes, 2019
The Butterfly for string quartet, 4 minutes, 2016
Duet for two cellos, 3 minutes, 2016
Solo
Joke for viola, 6 minutes, 2023
Four Scribbles for oboe, 6 minutes, 2023
Three Images for piano, 10 minutes, 2022
Hammock Fantasy for piano, 8 minutes, 2022
Vast Expanse for cello, 30 minutes, 2022
Air for cello, 3 minutes, 2022
The Life Tree for vibraphone, 7 minutes, 2021
Solace for piano, 7 minutes, 2021
Inside Joke for piano, 3 minutes, 2021
Forest Melodies for flute, 7 minutes, 2020
Quarantine Whispers for violin, 4 minutes, 2020
Four Scribbles for oboe, 6 minutes, 2023
Three Images for piano, 10 minutes, 2022
Hammock Fantasy for piano, 8 minutes, 2022
Vast Expanse for cello, 30 minutes, 2022
Air for cello, 3 minutes, 2022
The Life Tree for vibraphone, 7 minutes, 2021
Solace for piano, 7 minutes, 2021
Inside Joke for piano, 3 minutes, 2021
Forest Melodies for flute, 7 minutes, 2020
Quarantine Whispers for violin, 4 minutes, 2020
Choral
This Very Here for SATB choir, 5 minutes, 2023
Family Blessing for SSAATTBB choir, 5 minutes, 2020
Family Blessing for SSAATTBB choir, 5 minutes, 2020
Vocal
Untitled Song Cycle 10 minutes, 2023 [in progress]
Arrangements & Orchestrations
Mangrove by The Accidentals on behalf of the The Kaboom Collective
Nightlife by The Accidentals on behalf of the The Kaboom Collective
Sleeve by The Accidentals on behalf of the The Kaboom Collective
Tribute to Keith Emerson by Mike Garson on behalf of the The Kaboom Collective
Lullaby for our Daughters by Mike Garson on behalf of the The Kaboom Collective
Bohemian Rhapsody by Freddie Mercury for National YoungArts Week 2023
Nightlife by The Accidentals on behalf of the The Kaboom Collective
Sleeve by The Accidentals on behalf of the The Kaboom Collective
Tribute to Keith Emerson by Mike Garson on behalf of the The Kaboom Collective
Lullaby for our Daughters by Mike Garson on behalf of the The Kaboom Collective
Bohemian Rhapsody by Freddie Mercury for National YoungArts Week 2023
Music for Media
To view more projects, visit Liam Cummins Music on YouTube.