Spirare IV for Pierrot plus percussion

The Spirare series is a collection of pieces that explore breath. Spirare IV is the fourth in the series, written during a time when I was having difficulty sleeping and often tried to calm my mind through deep breathing. The piece begins with a relentless, multi-layered texture, where fragmented bursts of activity outline a constantly ascending structure. Within this turbulence, a lullaby gradually begins to emerge as slow gestures that resemble deep, deliberate breaths. At the end of the piece, this lullaby returns, now largely free of the surrounding tension.

Spirare IV is not a depiction of peace, but a search for it. It attempts to navigate through anxiety, tracing a way forward, toward a space where tranquility might be possible.

This version of Spirare IV was premiered by Mycelium New Music November 23rd, 2025, Constellation, Chicago.

Justin Weiss, conductor

Paul Novak, flute

Michael Tran, clarinet

Dylan Feldpausch, violin

Isidora Nojkovic, cello

Jonathan Hannau, piano

Rebecca McDaniel, percussion