Hay Fever - For Four Pianos
This work for a quartet of pianos was commissioned by the University of Oregon piano department for premiere at the UO Piano Extravaganza on February 6th, 2026.
Duration: 5’
Program Note: “Hay Fever” is an allergenic piece, capturing the musical essence of grass seed farming in the Willamette Valley - an economic practice that nearly always engenders an endless eruption of cataclysmic nasal discharges. The first part of “Hay Fever” depicts the grinding, mechanical roar of a combine, relentlessly churning up a dust cloud that migrates into nearby towns. The second section begins as a slight tickle behind the eyes, gradually building intensity to a miserable explosion of octaves and glissando fireworks cascading through all four pianos. Allergies are never fun to have, but sometimes it can be (morbidly) entertaining to watch someone else endure their torment, especially if they end up making a fool of themselves in the process.
Performance Recording: https://youtu.be/hJWOqcpsVsw
Note: Full score is on Tabloid-size paper and will look very small if printed on Tabloid. If you are interested in a physical score, contact me directly at stjamesmusic19@gmail.comand I will put one together for additional cost.
Hay Fever - For Four Pianos
This work for a quartet of pianos was commissioned by the University of Oregon piano department for premiere at the UO Piano Extravaganza on February 6th, 2026.
Duration: 5’
Program Note: “Hay Fever” is an allergenic piece, capturing the musical essence of grass seed farming in the Willamette Valley - an economic practice that nearly always engenders an endless eruption of cataclysmic nasal discharges. The first part of “Hay Fever” depicts the grinding, mechanical roar of a combine, relentlessly churning up a dust cloud that migrates into nearby towns. The second section begins as a slight tickle behind the eyes, gradually building intensity to a miserable explosion of octaves and glissando fireworks cascading through all four pianos. Allergies are never fun to have, but sometimes it can be (morbidly) entertaining to watch someone else endure their torment, especially if they end up making a fool of themselves in the process.
Performance Recording: https://youtu.be/hJWOqcpsVsw
Note: Full score is on Tabloid-size paper and will look very small if printed on Tabloid. If you are interested in a physical score, contact me directly at stjamesmusic19@gmail.comand I will put one together for additional cost.
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