About this Piece

“When I was first approached to write this concerto, I had a conversation with Andrew [Bain] about the history of the horn and became fascinated with its connection to hunting. I became curious about the musical history surrounding the tradition:  when and how the horn is used in the hunt, various hunting calls from different cultures, etc. The idea of hunting also connected me to a quote I heard about being a father, where fathers are encouraged to examine their “hunter” tendencies and to consider what it might mean to be a “gardener” for their children instead.

I find composing easiest when I have a narrative to follow. The story and imagery that comes from it seems to pull melodies out of me, and I find that there’s always a North Star to come back to if ever I feel a bit lost in the composing process. I can always go back to the story.

So, for this piece I’ve written a short story, and to help give a bit of insight into the narrative I created, I’ve asked the poet Yrsa Daley-Ward to prepare a short poem.”

—Kris Bowers

LEARN TO LOVE WHAT SURROUNDS

YOU IN EVERY GIVEN MOMENT.

RESPECT THE SHIFTING LAND, THE

VERY NATURE OF LIFE ITSELF.

HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOFTNESS,

IT IS THE STRONGEST PART OF

YOU. LOVE IS A BRAVER WARRIOR

THAN VIOLENCE. DEDICATION IS

MORE ENDURING THAN

DOMINANCE. ALL THE THINGS YOU

GAVE CHASE TO HAVE BROUGHT

YOU THUS FAR. THE THINGS YOU

TRIED TO CONQUER HAVE TAUGHT

YOU THIS MUCH. THE THINGS YOU

CAME TO SLAUGHTER AND CARRY

HOME AS TROPHIES HAVE EVADED

YOU, AND IN DOING SO, SPARED YOUR LIFE.

YOU WILL LEARN, BUT

NOT WITHOUT PAYING A PRICE.

— Yrsa Daley-Ward