Sheet Music

Red Balloon is a composition for a solo vibraphonist and spoken prose, which explores the nostalgic longing for childhood and simplicity. The red balloon symbolizes childlike innocence; the loss of the balloon therefore symbolizes the loss of the inner child. The balloon's return represents the struggle to recoup the childlike wonder for the world. The piece ends on an ambiguous note; whether or not the balloon's return offers reprieve from the longing is up to the performer and the audience to determine.