Europa

Europa is a mini-tone poem that takes inspiration from the Galilean moon bearing the same name. The piece comprises several sections that allude to imagery such as a journey through space, the sight of remote solar systems, and Europa's delicate frozen surface. However, a common theme that pervades the entire piece is movement. The metric modulations that punctuate the sections of the piece create a consistent sense of motion, even though the entire piece is slowing down. After an exploration of different variations on the main motifs of the piece, Europa culminates with a gradual slowdown that seamlessly tapers off. The title Europa also acts as a double-entendre, suggesting a connection to the moon goddess in Greek mythology. The piece is dedicated to my partner, Yesenia, who loves both astronomy and mythology.