Program note: Lush Escapist Dream comes from a place of uncertainty, bad news, friends having trouble, and a collective feeling of wanting to escape present difficulties. Commissioned by and written for Piero Guimaraes, I wanted to celebrate the special relationships we both have with our mothers in helping us get through life. Their wisdom and support is channeled through Brazilian/Portuguese proverbs that offer the following advice: Não há bem que sempre dure, nem mal que nunca acabe. / There’s no good that lasts forever nor evil that never ends and Quem não tem cão, caça com gato. / If you don’t have a dog, you hunt with a cat. Cats are better hunters anyway, and this too shall pass.