"Splendor,” the opening movement of a larger work entitled Illuminare, was inspired by the hymn of Saint Ambrose. To reflect the radiance of the text, I wanted to create a thrilling entrance in bright D major—representing the arrival of glorious Light. In the initial stages of composing Splendor, bald eagles would often visit the giant willow tree outside my office window. As I watched them take flight, their upward soaring inspired the rush of sixteenth notes in the orchestra as well as ascending vocal lines. The middle section continues with sustained legato measures, representing the equally beautiful fragments of delicate light. Then “Splendor” eventually returns to D major as a flurry of 16th notes race to the final “Gloriae!” Over the course of five movements, Illuminare takes us through a season of beauty and goodness that has been disrupted by darkness and confusion. But as Light gradually returns, hope is restored as musical material from “Splendor” appears once again in movement five to declare: Light has triumphed to guide us toward a brighter future.