All Grief Empty, The Clear Night Passes is a piece inspired by local industrial sounds I heard when I first moved to Cincinnati in the summer of 2007. Throughout the day, I can hear the high-pitched mellifluous sounds of trains braking coming from the local rail yard. Inspired by these sounds, I began writing this piece with these high pitches in mind. This piece is about 11'30" long and is divided into three sections. The first section begins with a high flute solo that descends melodically and leads into a long muted trumpet solo. The second section is a little faster with counterpoint between the trumpet and trombone, eventually ending with a duet between the timpani and the tam-tam; and the third section finishes with a chorale played by the oboe, bassoon, and trumpet.
Originally conceived as a full orchestra piece, All Grief Empty was arranged for a chamber ensemble during the summer of 2008.