The Fall was written for pianist/composer James Praznik. I met Praznik at the University of Akron, where we became involved in a number of collaborations as well as simply enjoying each other's company. The mood of this piece is a dark reflection of the fall of man. The first movement, Temptation, is full of angular melodies and jarring rhythms. The melancholy second movement, Toil, continually returns to a sighing motive. The piece ends with a toccata and fugue in Anguish of the Soul.
Eastern Pinnacle for clarinet and CD was premiered during the third Johnstone Woodwind Master Series on May 1, 2008 by clarinettist Colleen Tryon. It took first place in the JWMS III Competition.
