Skip to main content

20260403_Composition Studio

Page 1

Nair: Delta Delta was written to represent the idea of gradual change that is unnoticeable in any present moment. The title carries multiple meanings, referencing both the idea of a river delta, and the Greek letter Delta which, in mathematics, can be used to represent a change or difference in a quantity. The tonality of the piece shifts over time, similar to how a river will gradually deposit sediment until a delta is formed. – Gabriel Nair

presents the

Composition Studio Recital Students of Clifton Callender, Eren Gümrükçüoğlu, and Liliya Ugay

Gruber: Into the Woodlands Into the Woodlands draws inspiration from natural sounds. The composition incorporates bird calls, water droplets, and wind rustles to create immersive sonic landscapes through various effects on the instruments. The music mirrors the flow of ecosystems, symbolizing the interconnectedness and resilience of life on Earth. The music encourages reflection and dialogue about environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. It serves as a call to action, inviting audiences to deepen their connection to the natural world and embrace a more harmonious relationship with the Earth. – Justin Gruber

PROGRAM illusion of time (2025)

Schwalbe: Lansky Meyer Lansky, the “Mob’s Accountant,” was one of the most influential figures in American organized crime throughout the 20th century. Born in present-day Belarus, Lansky fled to Manhattan in 1911 to escape rampant antisemitism in Eastern Europe. He quickly became a central member of the Jewish mob, and alongside his childhood friends Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and Charles “Lucky” Luciano, was able to build a wildly successful criminal empire. Lansky’s primary financial investments came in the form of illegal gambling operations, in which his influence spanned from Las Vegas to Miami and Cuba. During the rise of extreme antisemitism during World War II, Lansky was able to use his influence with the mob to break up pro-Nazi rallies in and around New York City. He even brokered deals between the United States Navy and the Italian-American Mafia that saw criminals helping to protect docks from German attacks. This piece is a loosely programmatic composition which takes inspiration from some of the most notable events throughout Lansky’s life, including his relocation to America, the growth of his criminal empire, his signing off on the murder of his childhood best friend “Bugsy” Siegel, his sudden loss of all casino-based assets due to a regime change in Cuba, his exile to the Bahamas and later Israel, and his ultimately peaceful death with his family in Miami. By the end of his life, Lansky was almost entirely financially destitute in the eyes of the government–however, it is widely speculated that millions of dollars remained in offshore bank accounts in his name. His largely criminal life, occasionally shadowed by moral ambiguity, has created, to me, this incredibly dramatic and fascinating story.

Friday, April 3, 2026 7:30 p.m. Dohnányi Recital Hall

Daniel Kim, clarinet; Gabriel Lanza Santos, electric guitar Woojeong Jeon, piano; Gordon Cortney, percussion Addison Miller, cello; Jarobi Watts, double bass

Feathered Friends (2025) III. Cassowary

Hilbert’s Infinite Hotel (2025)

Soohyun Lee, piano

Francesca Puro, violin Georgiy Khoklov, cello

In Search For… (2024, arr. 2026) Loanne Masson, oboe; Charlotte MacDonald, clarinet Kaiden Klinger, tenor saxophone; Benjamin Kiely, bassoon

March Jeongmin Seok (b. 2001)

Justin Gruber (b. 2002)

Ian Schwalbe (b. 2001)

Hayden Marciszewski (b. 2002)

– Ian Schwalbe Guerrero: Collections This piece is the first where I start exploring how electronics add to my musical composition. Composers before our era would first incorporate electronics with physical tape, cutting and gluing strips together in the same way we would splice audio together in a DAW. Inspired by this, the result is music that frequently moves through different genres and sound gestures. The sudden and jarring cuts become a part of the composition. – Sergio Ramirez Guerrero

To Ensure An Enjoyable Concert Experience For All… Please refrain from talking, entering, or exiting during performances. Food and drink are prohibited in all concert halls. Recording or broadcasting of the concert by any means, including the use of digital cameras, cell phones, or other devices is expressly forbidden. Please deactivate all portable electronic devices including watches, cell phones, pagers, hand-held gaming devices or other electronic equipment that may distract the audience or performers. Florida State University provides accommodations for persons with disabilities. Please notify the College of Music at (850) 644-3424 at least five working days prior to a musical event to request accommodation for disability or alternative program format.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
20260403_Composition Studio by Florida State University College of Music - Issuu