Circles – Reflection

About Circles – Reflection:

Circles – Reflection is a piano piece that explores ambiguity through harmony and rhythm. Listeners will likely hear influences from Erik Satie's Gymnopédies. I have always appreciated his willingness to take time with his melodies, allowing them to unfold as much through the use of silence as through sound. I'm also influenced by his use of melodic ambiguity, especially as it relates to minor scales.

I also hear an influence from Chopin's Prelude No. 4, particularly in the dense chromatic harmonies that create descending lines throughout the piece. As these lines weave through the texture, the harmony continually shifts, creating an intentionally unsatisfied feeling. It's a circle—there really is no beginning or end.

Underlying much of this work is a two-against-three polyrhythm, a motor that appears throughout many of my compositions. This motor creates a gentle pull between competing rhythmic perspectives and contributes to the sense of ambiguity that runs through the piece.

Performed by pianist Michael Lenahan, Circles – Reflection was recorded on March 5, 2026, at the UT Butler School of Music Recording Studio and was made possible by a grant from the Rainwater Foundation.

Track Credits:

Composed by Joel Laviolette
Performed by Michael Lenahan
Recorded March 5, 2026, at the UT Butler School of Music Recording Studio
Engineered by Elise Etherton
Videography by Andrew Stoltz
Mixed and produced by Joel Laviolette
Mastered by Nick Landis
℗ Joel Laviolette Publishing

Metadata:

Song Title: Circles – Reflection

ISRC Code: QMDF82600001

BPM:

Length: 4:34

Artist: Performed by Michael Lenahan

Composer: Joel Lavioletter

Publisher: Joel Laviolette Publishing

Cleared For Licensing: Yes