This piece is named after the scenic drive in Colorado over Independence Pass in between Denver and Aspen. While attending the
Aspen Music Festival in 2017, I was going through a difficult time in my life dealing with a lot of uncertainty about my career choise as a string quartet cellist. In addition, my father was suffering from a terminal illness and I was devestated witnessing his recent decline in health.
During that time, classical music was not bringing me any joy. Instead I was consitently listening to folk and bluegrass artists such as the Punch Brothers and Sarah Jarosz. The uplifting and creative styles of these varoius artists helped me through that dark period in my life.
The opening cello motive came to me while driving over Independence Pass. While I didn't notate it immediately, it stuck with me and I eventually composed the original version of the piece later in 2017 for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass. The piece combines elements of classical and folk styles and just like the drive through the mountains, it is beautiful, but dangerous.
The trio version was completed in 2020 during the COVID-19 global pandemic and was recorded remotely by myself, Filip Lazovski (Kansas City, MO), and Benjamin de Kock (Denver, CO).
Available as a PDF download.