Playground, Dr. Daniel Thrower

Composed by Dr. Daniel Thrower. Duration: 4:00. The first of this rhapsodic composition's three themes is the "running theme" with its jumpy heart-thumping accompaniment. Sandwiched in the middle of the running theme is the contrasting "hiding theme," which is driven by calmer but unsettling three-measure hemiola phrases. The third theme, the "escape theme," transitions to minor and masterfully modifies a motif from "Escape" by Kevin McKee. Running, hiding, and excaping all take their turns throughout the piece with various senses of urgency, triumph, and terror. At times, the themes transform to opposite meanings. More detail is found in the score's program notes.