Those Who Fly Too Close to the Sun

Those Who Fly Too Close to the Sun (2025):

Instrumentation: Percussion Trio (see full instrumentation below)

Duration: 7 minutes

Program Notes: Those Who Fly Too Close to the Sun takes inspiration from the Greek tale of Icarus and Daedalus, who, after being trapped on an island, created wax wings to escape, however, Icarus grew greedy and grandiose, ignoring his father's warnings by flying higher into the sky until the sun melted the wax in his wings, causing him to plummet into the ocean. This piece gives nods to both characters through the repeated ocean and brake drums, alluding to the sounds of an anvil that a craftsman would use as well as the ocean around the island.

Full Instrumentation:

-Player 1: Glockenspiel, Ocean Drum, 3 Toms, Brake Drum, Sizzle Cymbal, Kick Drum.

-Player 2: Vibraphone, Bongos, Conga, Splash Cymbal.

-Player 3: 5.0 Octave Marimba, 3 differently sized Woodblocks, 4 Almglocken (C, Db, D, Eb).

Premiered by Beau Martin, Ethan Strunc, and Victor Diaz on October 30, 2026.