Music
2 Art Songs (2024)
2 Art Songs is a set of art songs composed for and dedicated to mezzo-soprano, Nazmee Kamal. These pieces, based off of poems by e. e. cummings and William Wordsworth, were performed by Nazmee Kamal, mezzo-soprano and John Makara, piano.
Premiered February 20, 2025 | Kresge Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA.
Piano Quartet (2024)
Piano Quartet is a narrative on perceptions of weather events and their emotional affect. Each movement uses textural and rhythmic elements to represent the colors each event evokes. This piece was premiered by Petrina Steimel, piano; Sammy Lu, violin; Nathan Gaynor, viola; and Camden Wentz, cello.
Premiered February 20, 2025 | Kresge Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA.
Saturn Devouring His Son (2023, rev. 2025)
According to Roman mythology, it was foretold that one of Saturn's sons would overthrow him, just as he had overthrown his father, Caelus. To prevent this, Saturn devoured his children immediately after their birth, consuming the gods Vesta, Juno, Neptune, Dis, and Ceres. His wife, Ops, eventually concealed their sixth child, Jupiter, on the island of Crete, deceiving Saturn with a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes. Ultimately, Jupiter fulfilled the prophecy by overthrowing his father. This piece is based off of the early 1820's painting.
Premiered February 20, 2025 | Kresge Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA.
Winter Sketches (2025)
Winter Sketches, written for solo flute and added electronics in two movements includes sounds recorded by myself with some added instruments with the first movement including conversations from a distance and the second movement including sounds captured from a flock of birds in Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA. This piece is dedicated to and performed by flutist Ingrid McDuffee.
Premiered February 20, 2025 | Kresge Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA.
Two Color Sketches for Violin and Piano (2023)
Two Color Sketches for Violin and Piano is a two-movement piece describing the aura, personality and stereotypes of two colors: Blue and Red. This piece was premiered at the Carnegie Mellon First-Year Composer Showcase by Isabelle Anis (Violin) and Benson Chen (Piano).
Premiered March 19, 2023 @ Kresge Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA.
Full list of compositions on Press Kit.
For any serious further inquiries into performance, use of a piece, or commission, please contact via email: johnwilliambrink@gmail.com or visit the bottom of the page and fill out the form.
More on the way...
