
Unsettled
Symphony Orchestra
ca. 3'15"
Grade 4
A frantic opening gives way to an awkward musical dance before returning to its restless energy, exploring the discomfort that often accompanies growth.
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Style
Restless • Unstable • Frenetic
AT A GLANCE
Selected Performances & Recognition
New Release
Performances updated soon.
What Makes It Unique
Written to provide contemporary orchestral repertoire that is both artistically meaningful and practically achievable, the work explores instability and discomfort without relying on excessive technical complexity.
Musical Influences
Béla Bartók
Charles Ives
Gustav Holst – Mercury from The Planets
Percy Grainger
Why I Wrote This Piece
Written to provide orchestras with contemporary repertoire full of distinct musical character, contrast, and personality without excessive technical barriers.
PROGRAM NOTE
Unsettled explores instability, friction, and the unbalanced feeling that often comes with trying something new. From the very beginning, an all-out sprint of undulating musical lines and unexpected interruptions creates a sense of imbalance and unease, where the music often seems to fight itself rather than resolve. The middle section slows to a deliberate, yet awkward pace, reflecting the discomfort that can be an essential part of growth and transformation. When the music finally finds its footing, it accelerates once again to its frenetic pace, excitedly pushing forward before fully finding its balance. The movement ends with a violent glissando in the strings, leaving the listener with the image of an ungraceful final fall.
Original Cover Photo by
Karl Hörnfeldt

Questions about the piece?
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