Ice Calf

for piano

About

I wrote Ice Calf for a concert themed on creation and change, shortly after hearing the story of a walrus who was found on the coast of Ireland, far from where walruses normally live. In the news story, a young girl supposes that the walrus drifted over the sea on an iceberg. Although the news story presents it as a lighthearted journey, in truth, the walrus most likely will not survive such a drastic change in environment. Walruses need sea ice to live, and plenty of it. I love the sea and all creatures who live in it. It is impossible to separate this love from thoughts of climate change and its debilitating effects on our planet. The title of this piece is a reference to both the birth of an iceberg and a young walrus.

Original recording