The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s second annual INfusion Music Festival took place this past May.  One of the festival concerts was very different from the usual live symphony experience.  The first half presented Liquid Interface, a composition by Mason Bates.  It blends the orchestra and electronic sounds with shifts between the two occurring seamlessly.  Liquid Interface is described by the composer as “a piece inspired by water in its variety of forms, inhabiting an increasingly hotter world in each progressive movement.”  It was fascinating how the sounds of the live orchestra and synthesized elements created flowing streams and dripping water.  The air felt as if it was cooled with the evaporation of sound.

Photo by Andy Fitzsimon on Unsplash

The second half was an equally amazing experience, combining the powerful lyrics and vocal talent of Amos Lee with the full Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.  At times the orchestra provided a beautiful lush backdrop; while other times the orchestra added a power and richness to Amos Lee’s performance that was transporting.

This was another case of a mesmerizing live musical performance triggering my creative flow and I had to capture the words as soon as possible.  Typically, I would reach for my phone to make a few notes, but there was no way to do that during the concert without being disruptive.  So, as soon as the final song ended and everyone leapt to their feet in a standing ovation, thumbs flew into action creating a stream of text messages to myself.  A great deal was captured in that moment, and once I was home, the poem was put on paper in one rapid-fire release.  Some of the lines I do not yet understand, but nothing was filtered out as words poured onto the paper.  No doubt Liquid Interface, Amos Lee and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra filtered through my mind and spirit that evening to allow creation of a “River of Light”.