A composition for solo piano by Michael Abu-Ali
Developed through the 2025 Summer Composing Mentorship
Mentored by Soheil Shirangi
Piano:Qin Lan Zhang
Published by Zang Records in September 2026
Beyond what the score implies, I ask that the pianist is:
1. acquainted with the story of St. Moses the Black
2. diligently expressing dynamic markings and articulations
3. clear about distinguishing the characteristics of each movement
Whether or not the performer is Christian does not matter to the interpretation of the music. What matters is that the pianist genuinely approaches this performance with a heart of humility; and to most importantly serve the narrative that the music must tell.
In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, St. Moses the Black serves as the perfect
example of an ideal orthodox monk: a devout servant of God who lived to achieve a Christ-like mentality. The intention of my piece is to convey the narrative of his life, and to musically reflect the experience he may have felt from his life of sin to absolute asceticism. My intention was to create a chronological narrative between 4 distinct movements and glue them together despite their melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, and dynamic differences. The beginning is particularly bewildering. There is little direction as to what life means for St. Moses. He cannot define his purpose, and nor does the music. This lack of direction is a recurring theme in the piece; but it progressively becomes suppressed by his higher calling.
The second movement introduces the adulthood of St. Moses, where he basks in murder, robbery, and material pleasure. It is blunt, aggressive, and confusing. This instability prompts a moment of reflection (measure 56), where he then embraces his call to monasticism. Movement 3 alludes to his childhood, reviving previous thematic ideas; and ultimately the piece prepares itself for the climax. As his monastery is attacked by a band of criminals, his martyrdom for God is proven. The tragedy of his death is unexpectedly met with the sound of a gentle cadence to major—signifying the otherworldly joy of salvation created by the sacrifice of life. Movement 4 references Tone 1 of the Orthodox Church tradition, a melodic phrase that is celebrated on his name day in the Church. I end the narrative of St. Moses the Black with a resonating ostinato—just as he is remembered and glorified in the Church for centuries (and centuries to come) after his wordly repose
Michael Abu-Ali is a composer, pianist, sound designer, and performer currently studying Electronic Production & Sound Design and Composition at Berklee College of Music. His work spans composition, live sound, music production, and DJ performance, with experience in both the U.S. and Spain. He is skilled in Ableton Live, Logic Pro, music notation, synthesis, audio editing, piano, and orchestration