Kali, She Who Devours Time, for violin and piano

Kali, She Who Devours Time (2006)

Violin and Piano 6:30 Kali (pronounced like the dog breed, collie) is a complex and multi-faceted Hindu goddess, often depicted as a fearsome, dark, and long-tongued demon. In some traditions Kali is known for destroying ignorance, and aiding those who seek sublime knowledge. Her name can be understood as a synonym for death, or devourer of time. Kali, She who devours time, for violin and piano, was written in 2006 for violinist Charlotte Munn-Wood, who had already named her own beloved instrument Kali. In spite of the somewhat violent, destructive connotations of the title, Kali is quite gentle and coaxing, perhaps emphasizing the “seeking sublime knowledge” side of the goddess. I intended it as an invitation to Charlotte, who was then all of sixteen, into the world of new music performance. She premiered it in 2009, with Faith Loewe at the piano.