Snow Lion for String Orchestra

Conductor: Christian Kriegeskotte

Violin I: Dylan Naroff, Jennifer Orchard

Violin II: Shannon Fitzhenry, Ross Snyder

Viola: Sean Juhl, Rimbo Wong

Cello: Dale Jeong, Yun-Ya Lo

Bass: Nick Meyers

This work for string orchestra is a culmination of a longtime interest, study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism. The inspiration came to be recently, after viewing Martin Scorsese's Oscar Award-winning epic biopic, Kundun (1997), about the early life of HH 14th Dalai Lama and his escape from Chinese occupied Tibet. In particular, I was struck by subtle awe during the scene when a ranking lama from Lhasa, disguised as a servant, recognizes the presence of the Dalai Lama's mindstream in the young tulku Lhamo Thundup. I have had the great fortune to attend in-person teachings by great contemporary masters including the late Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche, HH 14th Dalai Lama, in addition to having received a three-day Hevajra Empowerment Initiation from HH 41st Sakya Trizin Ngawang Kunga, who also granted me a private audience. These experiences have all contributed to the creation of this piece. The musical material is not intended to be ethnocentric in any way, but draws heavily from mainstream influences such as pop, spiritual jazz and heavy fusion (the music of Jan Hammer, John McLaughlin, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Alice Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders and others). This piece is dedicated to the people of Tibet and to HH 14th Dalai Lama. Completed Tuesday, July 23, 2024.

Reading session of "Snow Lion" for string orchestra by Christian Kriegeskotte, held at Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, Pittsburgh, PA on January 14, 2025.