Little Bear Gigue (2025) - ~2 Minutes

Little Bear Gigue is a miniature for tuba quartet written in December 2025 in memory of my Yorkie, Kuma, whose name means “bear” in Japanese. The piece captures the two moods that defined him best: sleepy and explorer. Kuma was endlessly curious, investigating every sound and corner before eventually settling atop the couch to watch the world outside—or take a nap.

The music opens with a dreamy, impressionistic phrase before some imagined curiosity suddenly catches his attention and launches the quartet into a quick, quirky dance. Chromatic melodies dart from player to player, mirroring Kuma’s little expeditions and restless curiosity. Eventually, the adventure tires itself out, and the opening music returns, bringing Little Bear Gigue to a peaceful, sleepy close.