Program note

This piece’s title comes from a Charles Mingus composition called “Self-Portrait in Three Colors”. This short, three-minute work features a single melody that repeats three times, with each repetition introducing a new instrument. There are no improvised solos; each repetition is deliberate and unchanging. With each added layer, the harmony grows more dissonant, which could be interpreted as three increasingly complex moods which Mingus; one who was frequently (and perhaps infamously) driven by his emotions; may have been trying to evoke.

The three movements I have written attempt to depict three different emotions: anger, wistfulness, and joy. The first movement is quick and short-tempered with a brooding middle section. The second movement is more contemplative, featuring an extended cadenza that recalls previous themes, and the final movement is a jubilant celebration. This piece is not a “self-portrait” of emotions, but rather a portrait of anyone who has experienced these feelings, exploring how different emotions shape our daily lives and interactions.