This is one of the first pieces I composed after transferring to SJSU which was unfortunately right when the COVID pandemic was affecting us. At the time, I was studying with Dr. Brian Ciach and he suggested that I write a piece about the current situation or find a piece of art that was related to the same theme. As I was looking for visual inspiration, I found the painting, with the same title by Dina D’argo which she explained was meant to symbolize “stepping into the unknown — the idea of life ‘after the pandemic’ and the insecurity of not knowing what lies ahead.” 

I also listened to a lot of Ravel, and still do, and one piece in particular, “Le Gibet” from Gaspard de la nuit, which consists of a recurring ostinato playing throughout the whole piece to signify the feeling of dread and death, caught my attention - much of the harmonic structure and form was heavily inspired by this piece. And though morbid, I felt this piece in combination with the material from the painting created the same emotions that I experienced at this time during the pandemic, a combination of fear and hope.