Yours portly has been uploading some more of his original compositions to YouTube.  This week, I’m featuring three pieces that are part of (so far) a koi pond triptych of compositions.  I’ll be adding to this trio of pieces, so it won’t remain a triptych for long, but that’s a good way of conceptualizing it for now.

I’ve really enjoyed these three pieces, which are all for small, unorthodox chamber groups.

“Koi Dance”

“Koi Dance” depicts the mysterious, beautiful, flowing movements of koi in their pond. It is written for an enigmatic quartet of two flutes, one bassoon, and one piano.

The score is available for purchase from Sheet Music Direct: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1922484/Product.aspx

“Snail Drop”

“Snail Drop” depicts gently dropping tiny ramshorn snails into a koi pond. I did just that one cold evening in early January 2026. The process inspired this quartet for four marimbas.

The score is available for purchase from Sheet Music Direct:  https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1922203/Product.aspx

“Pond Ball”

“Pond Ball” is a string trio for an unorthodox blend of violin, cello, and double bass. It depicts a stately ball held in the koi pond, with koi, snails, and rosy red minnows arriving for an elegant evening of watery dancing.

Sheet music is available for purchasing at the following online retailers:

• Noteflight: https://www.noteflight.com/music/titles/4cae4fcd-7103-4302-b213-3393c4aedb79/pond-ball
• Sheet Music Direct: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1922441/Product.aspx
• Sheet Music Plus: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/product/pond-ball-23633192.html

What do you think of this watery triptych?

Happy Friday!

—TPP