The Flowers That Close at Night (2017)

flute, cello, piano – 8 min

Program Notes

The Flowers That Close at Night follows a 24-hour period in the life of a California poppy plant. It is a species of flowering plant on which the blooms close when the sun goes down. This is a common behavior known as nyctinasty: the bottom-most petals grow quicker than the upper petals, forcing the flower shut. The work begins in the morning, passing through daytime into the night, in which the blooms shut. Night passes and the flowers open up again as the sun rises. One theme permeates the entire piece, representing the poppy. Other themes can be found in each section as time passes through different parts of the day.