Duration: 5 minutes

Instrumentation: oud, guitar, soprano saxophone, bass, percussion

Program note:

Neşe (“Joy”) was composed as a companion work to Yurdal Tokcan’s ebullient oud work, Mutluluk (“Happiness”). Set in a driving 7/8 meter, the piece explores a number of Turkish modes, most notably ‘hijaz,’ with aspects of octatonicism and Western tonal counterpoint.

Concert Premiere: September 16, 2024, Coates Chapel, San Antonio, TX