Napoleon Complex (2007)

The idea for Napoleon Complex came from one of my dogs: Quiz is a Chihuahua-dachshund mix that thinks he is much bigger than his actual 15-pound size. His loud, sometimes defensive barking brought the phrase “Napoleon Complex” to my mind around the time I was deciding what kind of piece to write for Michael Lunoe, who had requested something to play on a recital in 2007. The music represents a mélange of imagery stemming (though sometimes distantly) from that expression.

Napoleon Complex  was awarded first prize in the 2009 Con/un/drum Solo Percussion Composition Competition.