Symphony No. 1 “Destiny of Man” has undergone significant changes since its inception. Initially, it was a fictional tale about the destruction of our planet, but as I continued writing the music, the tone became more serious. Ultimately, the Symphony’s message is a warning to cherish and take care of our home, which is all the more personal for me. I firmly believe in a sovereign creator, God, who crafted this world and everything it holds within. I believe we were put on this planet not just to use as our home but also to care for it, as it’s our only habitat. It pains me to see the destruction of the Earth’s natural beauty, which is why I composed Symphony No. 1 “Destiny of Man.” The title reflects my desire to explore the destiny of humankind.
The first movement, “Work of Man,” starts with somber low brass and a heart-wrenching trombone solo that introduces the theme of humanity, followed by the piano and vibraphone playing open chords. The music builds up to a climax, with the world shown as it was first created, and then the main theme, the Old Hundredth, is introduced by the alto flute. I prefer to think of this chorale throughout the Symphony in the eyes of the hymn adaptation “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow.” As the music swells, the trumpets enter with a biting dissonance, culminating in a point of no return and peril. From this point on, the movement depicts a conflict between the world and man, ending with a confused state of no resolution.
“Wondrous Creation” begins with a touching piano solo, portraying an outward view of Earth from space. The quartal harmony deepens and explores the interlacing notes within each chord. The hymn returns in solo with the euphonium and piano, and when the winds join, the world slowly brightens, revealing its beauty. The music becomes more joyous and energetic, reaching a point of bright optimism, before returning to a reflective piano solo. The movement concludes with a serene version of the hymn in the low saxophones, interrupted briefly by the piano, and then completing the final cadence.
The third movement, “Divine Struggle,” depicts the struggle between mankind and the divinely created nature. It begins with a brash fanfare and settles into A minor, taking a darker turn reminiscent of a funeral march. The music increases in tension before returning to the Humanity theme played by the clarinet choir. As the music grows, nature is slowly appreciated by mankind, returning in a triumphant statement of the main theme. However, mankind’s vision fails, returning to a minor setting of the hymn, and an expectant drone.
Without a break, “Destiny of Man” emerges with drones adding to its tension. The chorale returns, growing in a hopeful light, only to be interrupted by the percussion. A series of aggressive calls from the woodwinds and brass lead to a quick tempo change and the music takes a turn for the worse. The themes from the symphony come crashing into each other, and the music falls apart. The piano and vibraphone return to the open chords harkening back to simpler times, but the Humanity theme overshadows them. The piano and vibraphone then enter a duet representing the mourning of nature, and the movement concludes with the piano and vibraphone returning in quick energy, with the hymn soaring in a hopeful energy. However, the percussion returns, the chorale distorts, and the music ends abruptly, representing the death of the world: the Destiny of Man
