Fractured Illuminations

Fractured Illuminations, Jennifer Oliverio (2025) 7'
for cornet/trumpet (C or Bb) and piano; euphonium (TC or BC) and piano; or horn and piano

Some of my best memories as a child were spent working with my dad in his workshop. As a kid it felt like he had unlimited access to tools and an unyielding enthusiasm for handcrafted items. I was lucky to learn how to work with stained glass and that experience is the influence for “Fractured Illuminations.”

Stylistically, this 7 minute piece transitions between varying energies, like looking through contrasting colors and textures of glass panels. The opening is fierce and majestic, like taking in the full composition of a stained glass installation. Subsequent sections feature elements of counterpoint and fluid transitions between major and minor tonalities with a boisterous and whimsical finish.

I wrote this piece for myself and pianist Kristy Mezines, who make up the flugelhorn/cornet and piano duo Mother Chaos.