The Blue Hour

The Blue Hour is the second movement of Symphony No. 1, a work that explores memory, change, and renewal. Inspired by my experiences in the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music’s Composing Earth Cohort, the symphony reflects on environmental shifts and personal transformation. Growing up in Korea, I was surrounded by vibrant blue skies, but upon returning as an adult, I witnessed the effects of air pollution, with children now coloring the sky in shades of gray. This realization, contrasted with the vivid blue skies I encountered in southern France, became a central theme in the symphony. The work unfolds across four movements, each depicting stages of nostalgia, tension, and resolution. In The Blue Hour, the symphony’s central melody intensifies, embodying the contrast between cherished memories and present realities. Influenced by Berlioz’s use of recurring themes in Symphonie Fantastique, this movement captures a pivotal moment of reckoning and transformation. Symphony No. 1 as a whole serves as a meditation on the passage of time, illustrating how personal and collective experiences shape our perception of the world. Through its evolving themes, the work ultimately seeks to convey a sense of hope and renewal.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Musical Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Music

Grantor

Rice University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Sohn, Nicky

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jalbert, Pierre

• Orchestra

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1911/118516

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/118516