"Light Overture, subtitled 'A Symphonic Entertainment,' is a short piece for symphony orchestra, dedicated to two interpretations of the word light in the English language: 'light' as in the absence of darkness, and a piece setting a festive mood, which is often the case with this sort of short 'concert opener.' It's not all entirely 'happy-go-lucky' though. Once in a while, I introduce a slightly darker color for the sake of variety and contrast, and formally the composition is quite strict: an outright Prelude and Fugue, the former sliding seamlessly into the latter, which juggles not only its own tune, but picks up stuff from the prelude. Light Overture is composed in five 'chapters': Quick and Light — Sweeping — Swinging — Broad — Stretto (faster)." — Poul RudersPremiere: Alabama Symphony/Justin Brown 4 December 2006; Birmingham, AL
