“The Ballade of Santa Ana Winds” is written at the request of and dedicated to Minji Noh and her partner pianist Kookhee Hong, who premiered this piece together at their Duo Art recital. This piece is a tribute to these two wonderful pianists and token of appreciation for their dedication to sharing their talent with the local community.
The inspiration comes from the well-known in Orange County force of nature, the Santa Ana (or Devil) winds, which mesmerize each fall with their powerful gusts, full of might and danger of causing an instant fire. A fire, which can spread quickly to a large area and grow to devastating proportions. These winds evoke an unsettling feeling, yet they make me feel in awe to the forces of nature, which, despite all the progress the humanity achieved, cannot be conquered or controlled.
The piece makes use of minimalistic techniques and modal inclinations in harmonies created by constantly moving texture. The winds come to its full power in the middle of the piece, and depicted with diatonic glissandos, sliding in a manner of ocean waves. After achieving their peak, they suddenly drop down to the opening gesture, which rolls back and forwards, picturing a serene breeze to which these powerful gusts eventually turned.

“The Ballade of Santa Ana Winds” is written at the request of and dedicated to Minji Noh and her partner pianist Kookhee Hong, who premiered this piece together at their Duo Art recital. This piece