Revolutions was composed for Jesús Castro-Balbi and Gloria Lin, for its premiere at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall. The title of the single-movement work has two implications: With the unrest and recent regime overthrows in the Middle East, the thought of meaningful and positive change transformed into a musical inspiration for the work; I also translated revolution as a turning or revolving of tonalities in the music. Both images provided musical ideas for the piece, which begins with solo opportunities for each player, and then moves into a churning piano ostinato with sequenced cello melodic patterns. The patterns build to a dissonant chordal section, which gives way first to pointillistic accompaniment and cello pizzicato, and then to soaring melodies and lush harmonies. The brief finale interrupts the passionate strains, and reminds us of the violence and fury that is inherent in revolution. Throughout the piece, tension and release in its many guises seeks a musical balance that mirrors some of the challenges we face in our diverse modern world.