Ocean Moons (2023)

commissioned by the icarus Quartet, as part of their ‘22–’23 iQ Tests initiative

I. Triton
II. Titan
III. Europa
IV. Enceladus

Some of the most fascinating worlds in our Solar System are moons that orbit gas giants. Four in particular: Triton (Neptune), Titan (Saturn), Europa (Jupiter), and Enceladus (Saturn), plausibly host liquid oceans.

Ocean Moons explores each of these worlds––“Triton” imagines the ice monuments of an alien civilization, “Titan” describes a thick, hazy atmosphere with hydrocarbon clouds, “Europa” documents whale song heard beneath the moon’s icy crust, and “Enceladus” depicts a bleak and cold desert.

Performances:

3/2024: Reisterton, MD
icarus Quartet
Larry Weng, Ellen Hwangbo, pianists
Matt Kweon, Jeff Stern, percussionists

11/2023: Houston, TX
Shepherd School of Music
Chelsea de Souza, James Palmer, pianists
Leo Simon, William Chinn, percussionists

10/2024: Chapel Hill, NC
icarus Quartet
Larry Weng, Chris Goodpasture, pianists
Matt Kweon, Jeff Stern, percussionists

10/2024: São Paulo, Brazil
icarus Quartet
Larry Weng, Chris Goodpasture, pianists
Matt Kweon, Jeff Stern, percussionists

4/2023: Phoenix, MD
icarus Quartet
Larry Weng, Chris Goodpasture, pianists
Matt Kweon, Jeff Stern, percussionists