The Pursuit of Happiness

As its title implies, 'Pursuit of Happiness' is a vivacious and audaciously optimistic rhapsody that celebrates the ideals pursued and deserved not just by every American, but by all human beings, regardless of origin or identity.

The opening movement is a lyrical ode to America, built around a soaring theme in the strings that evokes not only the splendor of American landscapes, but also the lift to the soul that one feels from experiencing their own unique sense of freedom--whether it be emancipation, freedom of worship, freedom of speech, or in my case, the freedom of true artistic liberation.

The second movement is built upon the idea of unity and empathy. Similar to Lara's DECLARATION umbrella project which this commission sits under, the piano takes turns in dialogue with each section of the orchestra, gathering and collecting  disparate instruments into a unified whole.

The final movement, titled 'Hymn, Rag, and Groove' blends three disparate musical flavors. The first is a folk hymn of my own composition, inspired by the final line of the Declaration of Independence itself: "And for the support of this Declaration…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." The second theme is an homage to the stride style of piano playing featured in America's own proto-fusion of classical and jazz, the rag. The final element is the groove--America's musical contribution to the world, defiantly shoving aside the downbeat in exchange for rhythmic vitality and propulsion.

This piece nods to different aspects of the American experience: the natural beauty of our landscapes, our diverse yet unified population, and our music. But above all else, 'Pursuit of Happiness' is true to its title--a celebration of this young nation’s promise, and our journey towards realizing it.

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—Christoper Tin