End Of All The Light You Know
By Daisy on May 10, 2026 3:44 pm
"When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly."
-Edward Teller was a Hungarian-American theoretical physicist.
I have always loved this quote. To me it is the meaning of hope. All of life (I speak for myself) is made of big and little steps often into an unknown darkness.
This piece begins with a low humming note played by a Sub-contra Alto flute (thanks Musescore) with punctuation by (of all things) a Pardessus de viole. I chose this because I have always wanted to play one. It is a viol(fretted of course) played upright on your knee, mostly by ladies. Very popular long ago in France. I include a violin in the upper octaves mostly to a provide nuance. The 5th measure brings in a Post Horn. This is the "something solid to stand on." All instruments join into building this platform. Then, just in case the solid something fails to appear, you grow wings and are taught how to fly. Long notes, accented as if the beating of wings. The tempo increases steadily as you try your wings, soaring around, playing with the winds. All instruments join in triumphantly as you gain your inevitable proficiency. Then a long decrescendo down to pianississimo(ppp)as you and your wings simply fly away.
Audio works licensed by author under:
CC Attribution Noncommercial No Derivative Works (BY-NC-ND)