Celestial Mechanics was composed for Misha Galaganov, viola, and John Owings, piano. The piece is cast in three movements; each movement relates to different aspects of the Cosmos. Quantum jitters is the concept that the Universe is made up of fields that are constantly in flux. Hence, the first movement, ‘Quantum Jitters’, features a repetitive piano motive upon which the viola melody plays. The middle movement is titled ‘Elegy: Song Without Words’; the viola sings the melody throughout, as the piano spins first a slow broken chordal accompaniment, and then becomes jazzier and more urgent. This movement inquires into the meaning and wonder of the great expanse of space; it returns to the slow material at its close. The final movement, ‘Fanfare’, presents responses to the questions of the second movement; it revels in the majesty and complexity of the Cosmos.