Program Note
Nautilus is inspired by the biology, behavior, and ecosystem of the nautilus. Nautilus are deep-sea cephalopods, relatives of octopus and squid, that live in the Indo-Pacific region. They are the only living cephalopods with an exterior shell, and have existed relatively unchanged in form for over 500 million years, earning them the title of “living fossil.” They have over 90 tentacles, a soft body, and a 6–8-inch spiral shell with many chambers. During the
day, they linger along steep, deep coral slopes of up to 700 meters in depth. At night, they rise to shallower waters to feed and lay eggs.
Nautilus begins with low, wide-spaced, slow-moving chords that take advantage of the sonorous metallic bottom register of the piano, evoking the deep waters where they hover during the day. Faster ascending arpeggiated lines with quartal and quintal harmonies represent them rising from the depths at night. Fluid, asymmetrical melodies illustrate shifting waters of the aquatic habitat. Nautilus is unified by a lyrical, circular melody representing their characteristic spiral shell. The piece comes full circle as the moon sets and the nautilus return to the deep and the music returns to the opening motive.
Nautilus was commissioned by Iowa Music Teachers Association for their 2025 Commissioned Composer Award, and was premiered by Jason Sifford at the IMTA State Conference in June 2025.
day, they linger along steep, deep coral slopes of up to 700 meters in depth. At night, they rise to shallower waters to feed and lay eggs.
Nautilus begins with low, wide-spaced, slow-moving chords that take advantage of the sonorous metallic bottom register of the piano, evoking the deep waters where they hover during the day. Faster ascending arpeggiated lines with quartal and quintal harmonies represent them rising from the depths at night. Fluid, asymmetrical melodies illustrate shifting waters of the aquatic habitat. Nautilus is unified by a lyrical, circular melody representing their characteristic spiral shell. The piece comes full circle as the moon sets and the nautilus return to the deep and the music returns to the opening motive.
Nautilus was commissioned by Iowa Music Teachers Association for their 2025 Commissioned Composer Award, and was premiered by Jason Sifford at the IMTA State Conference in June 2025.