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I used a Moroccan drum rhythm as the inspiration for this piece. It is one of my favorite pieces, and really draws me in as I play. For those who enjoy music trivia, the harp introductory section uses the theme from Rimsky Korsakov's "Scheherazade;" and for those counting, there is a section of the harp intro that is in the count of seven. The harp then shifts to six beats per measure to match the drum rhythm that inspired me. The piano continues the rhythm throughout the piece, along with some added percussion.
The title, "Lypiphera," comes from one of my favorite books, "Kushiel's Dart," by Jacqueline Carey, where she creates this word to mean: "One who bear's the pain of the gods." In her book, Carey has an extensively worked out spiritual culture for her characters, based on the tenet: "Love as thou wilt." To act against this is to commit blasphemy, which is considered a worse transgression even than treason or betrayal. There is much more I could say about how this seems a principle more of the world could live by, and that I also admire the strength of Carey's characters, as well as the sacred sexuality within the culture she creates.
(reference made with author's permission, www.jacquelinecarey.com)