Sgraffito (2026)

for mixed sextet (flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, piano)

Duration: 9'

Premiere: September 27, 2026 @ Pollack Concert Hall, Montreal, QC

Commissioned by the Graham Sommer Competition for Young Composers

Awards: First Prize — 2026 Graham Sommer Competition for Young Composers

Programme Note:

The term Sgraffito (from Italian sgraffiare, “to scratch”) refers to a decorative technique used in pottery, painting, and glass art, in which layered materials are carefully scraped away to reveal the surface beneath, creating bold contrasts between successive layers. Through this piece, I wanted to focus on this idea of layers and revelation. The work begins within a highly saturated musical landscape and progresses through continuous excavation of this material — the music is scraped, fractured, and “scratched” away, allowing for new perspectives of material to emerge throughout.

Sgraffito was commissioned and awarded first prize as part of the 4th edition of the Graham Sommer Competition for Young Composers, presented by the Schulich School of Music of McGill University.