blue mind

This brief single-movement composition is all about water. The title, blue mind, is taken from the best-selling book of the same name by marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols and published in 2014. In his book, Nichols analyzes studies that suggest living or simply being near bodies of water can have powerful psychological and even physiological effects on a person. While I confess to having not read the book, I was taken by its title and whole heartedly agree with its thesis on a personal level. I have always loved being close to the water. While I prefer the grandeur of the ocean, I am still very content when even close to a lake, river, a running stream, or even a swimming pool. The piece does not have a specific program attached to it. However, it does serve as a meditation on the different forms of water. The music bubbles and gently churns at times like a peaceful brook while at other times, it is still as daybreak on a calm lake. There are also instances where the music takes on the character of majestic waves falling upon a beautiful beach and even some intense moments representing the great power of water and its potential for harm. In an interview about his book, Nichols notes, “as humans, we're naturally drawn to blue space...” It is my sincere hope that this composition transports the listener in some small way to that beautiful blue space and allows for the acquisition, if only for a few minutes, of a blue mind.