Cloudshift for String Quartet

Cloudshift is a continuous movement of cloud experiences depicted in a 9 minute musical work for string quartet by American composer, Denise (Dede) Ondishko. This work was commissioned by the Cleveland CityMusic Program for their spring concert in 2021. The sequence of clouds include: -Angel Clouds - gracing the morning moon, with moments of Cloudless Blue Sky -Storm Clouds -appearing out of nowhere and then, yes, Rain! -Long, Rippling Sandbar Clouds - vibrating in the highest layers of the sky -Cotton Candy Clouds - captivating our gaze. This meditative work is inspired by photo images of clouds drifting and forming over Lake Michigan captured by Susan Britton in 2020. Clouds are mysterious and continually re-shaping, a source of wonder and inspiration across all ages. When gazing at clouds, one has the feeling that they are gazing at the play of life in the sky; the sensation of uplift is undeniably strong and real. In this work, Ondishko hopes the listener gets caught up in the pleasing, artistic play of life in clouds!