Two Dawn Hymns (2008) for cello and piano was written for and is dedicated to cellist Aaron Kaplan. The
piece take its starting place from the landscape around my home in New England: the first movement from
the quiet of early morning just before sunrise and the second from the gathering ebullience and energy of
the starting day, just as the sun appears.
The first movement, Spiritual, uses an original melody that draws upon characteristics of folk songs and
spirituals. The cello begins the movement with the melody, which is developed through a series of lyrical
excursions.
The second movement, Saltarello, is a moto perpetuo. Ideas from the previous movement are explored in
new, dancing combinations.