Filler’ Up

Programme Notes

The title Filler’ Up holds many personal connotations for me. I wrote this piece while reflecting on the three-week road trip my wife and I took for our honeymoon. During those three weeks, we traveled over 7,000 km in Canada’s Eastern Provinces, discovering countless new sights in this beautiful country and learning so much more about each other and our love.

From a compositional perspective, the term filler refers to my use of a short chordal and rhythmic section that connects several independent musical vignettes.

I wanted these vignettes and the filler to convey feelings of happiness, contentment, and optimism. In times when it’s so easy to succumb to cynicism and negativity about the state of our lives, this piece represents my determination to resist being drawn into the chaos around me.

Filler’ Up represents the things that bring me joy and delight. These include laughing and crying at the same time, friends and family, physical and mental adventures, and the simple yet profound moments that remind me to pause, recharge, and embrace life with gratitude.

– Frank Horvat