Ozymandias

Ozymandias is a work for solo saxophone (composed for baritone specifically) written in the spring of 2025. It is based off the poem “Ozymandias” by Percy Shelley. The piece emulates the story of the fallen king Ozymandias, as told through the secondhand account of the poet. Quartertones create an ancient lyricism, retelling the poem as though it were a vocal piece. Much like the fallen king, the work builds, repeats the statement of authority (“My name is Ozymandias…”), obsesses over “despair”, and eventually crumbles to dust.

Recorded and performed by composer.