Piece for solo piano with Ebow or similar device.
Approx. 5 min

Aftermath of Fire was inspired by a series of archival pictures depicting the damages caused by the Great Fire of Toronto in 1904. The piece is a reflection of the desolation, powerlessness, emptiness and vastness that follows such devastating event. The music is based on a series of improvisations at the piano and is to be performed freely by the pianist. The performer must pay attention to the unfolding resonances after each musical phrase, as the sustaining pedal is kept held down for most of the piece and rarely cleared. In addition to contributing to the hazy atmospheric quality of the work, the residual resonance from one moment to the next becomes an entity of its own, evolving with the discourse of the work. For instance, it adds to the texture in builds-up and entirely makes up the transition back to calmness. An Ebow© is used to sustain a C# for the entire piece, which protrudes when the cumulative resonance clears out.
 
An Ebow© is needed for this piece. It should be placed inside the piano, straddling two strings of the C# below middle C, about 5 inches above the dampers, and resting on the other C# string and C strings below. The device stays on for the duration of the piece.