Nocturne for the Hieroglyphica

for solo piano

“I read an article about a fascinating creature. I don't think it has a common name, but its scientific name is Hemiceratoides hieroglyphica and it is a giant, tropical, colorful moth that drinks the tears of sleeping birds. As far as anyone knows, the moth is only found in Madagascar.

“A moth that drinks the tears of birds as they sleep. Doesn't that seem enchantingly beautiful?

“There's another variety of moth, Pionea damastesalis, that drinks the tears of humans.”

information

duration: ~10 minutes

dedicated to Caroline Miller

premiered by Kari Johnson on March 5, 2009, as part of UMKC Composers' Guild Concert IV