mountain wind falling
for seven soloists2026
30’
it was written to be performed in the meadow at Road Books, Inniscarra, after proprietors Judy Kravis and Peter Morgan suggested to write something for the space. a map shows where the performers should be positioned and the paths mown, but it may be adapted for other spaces.
save one complete poem, Sappho’s poetry is fragmented, preserved on disintegrating papyri and via ancient citations. her poetry is lyric (written to be sung to the lyre), but none of her accompanying music has survived. mountain wind falling is one way of restoring the text, while treating the gaps as erotic features.
the piece was premiered on 5th September, 2026 at Road Books, Inniscarra by Messíana Kjaran (soprano), Claire Desmond (mandolin), Colleen Freeman (fiddle), Sara Di Costanzo (flute), Drew Sommers (pocket saxohpone), Wenqiu Chen (pipa), and Elliot Murphy (cello).
broken lyre illustration: Ray Murphy
photo credit: Iryna Baklan
Sappho translation: Anne Carson - if not, winter (Virago Press, 2003)
the composition of the piece was generously supported by