Dana School of Music Faculty Dr. Roman Rudnytsky performing Robert Rollin's Night Thoughts 2

PROGRAM NOTES: Night Thoughts 2 is a nocturne inspired by William Blake’s manuscript illuminations for Edward Young’s poetic collection entitled, "Night Thoughts." Especially powerful is Blake’s watercolor title page to Young’s "Night VIII" which dwells on the darker side of the human condition. The composition employs cross rhythms of three against five, a scale of alternating half and whole steps, and additional chromatic elements. These and some of the expressive and rhythmic gestures give it a character that straddles European romanticism and American folk music. It was recorded by pianist Roman Rudnytsky on the first Dana Recording Series compact disc release. — Notes by the Composer, Edited by Gwyneth Rollin.