I have often written miniatures for special occasions: solo pieces, choral tributes, cabaret songs, pieces for friends, family, anniversaries, birthdays. Composing short pieces involves a delicate touch, giving an idea room to breathe without cutting it short, setting an atmosphere while containing the form. A piece usually tells us its duration moments after the appearance of the first idea - think of a Chopin étude or Beethoven's Lebe wohl. Moments is a series of five related miniatures for chamber ensemble. The first movement is an homage to Mozart's clarinet writing without quotes or parodies, the second an expansion of a short piece for solo flute in honour of Kaija Saariaho's fiftieth birthday, the third a tango with an extra foot in 5/8 time, the fourth a lyrical moment for solo violin, the fifth is both minimal and erotic, inspired by the work of British ceramic artist Dan Kelly, a master of small forms.
Moments was written for Les Dala and the Helikon ensemble, to whom it is dedicated and who premiered the first three movements in Vancouver in November, 2003. Moments was commissioned in part with funds from the British Columbia Arts Council Music Commissioning Programme.