North/Southk Consonance Performs Kassia

The Kassia Ensemble commissioned Kassia in honor of their namesake, the 9^th century Byzantine Abbess, poet and hymnographer, and the only woman whose hymns are included in the Eastern Orthodox liturgy. She is also likely the first woman whose music has survived until now. Kassia is scored for the irentire ensemble of clarinet, harp, and string quintet. My music connects back through the ages to Kassia, drawing on a few motivic shapes from two of her most well-known chants: The Fallen Woman and Augustus, the Monarch. To experience this contemporary music, go here, with the video starting at 4:04.