“Lega celu yen di splendor” Program Notes:

On the Dutch Caribbean island of CuraC’ao, it is customary to lightChinese firecrackers during the last week of the year. The islanders believe that the loud sounds drive away evil spirits (Fuku). At midnight on December 31st, the racket reaches a climax with an all around explosion of fireworks across the island. Once the New Year has begun, tranquility returns and the people go back to their daily routines, confident that the bad spirits have been banished. This piece is inspired not by the fireworks itself, but by the weeklong crescendo of passion and energy that fuels the noise making. The music pays homage to the heart and soul of the Curacao people.