Gryphon (2006)
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Recording Available: Potenza Music ("Mythos,"Jana Starling, clarinet) 
Duration: 7:00 
Instrumentation: Solo Clarinet 
Program Notes: 
While composing the opening gesture of Gryphon, my mind envisioned a magnificent creature possessing a magical and seductive aura standing proudly on the cliffs of an ocean. He is wild and quick-tempered, yet he can be surprisingly calm and gentle at times. Gryphon seemed an appropriate title for this piece because it really portrays the characteristics I imagine this mythical beast would have. Physically, a gryphon is commonly depicted as having the head, wings, and talons of an eagle, the body of a lion, and in some cases, the tail of a snake. According to legends, the gryphon is blessed with the speed, flight, and penetrating vision of the eagle, and the strength, courage and majesty of the lion.