The Three Marys (2013) is a Violoncello solo work accompanied by woodwind quintet commissioned by cellist David Bayless. The work is a concerto style piece and was inspired by the three stars/star clusters that create Orion's Belt; Alnitak-Zeta Orionis, Alnilam-Sigma Orionis, and Mintaka-Delta Orionis. The title The Three Marys comes from the English translation of the name given to these three stars in the Arabic language. Alnitak is a moderately fast movement meant to inspire thoughts of vast space and creation. Alnilam contrasts Alnitak in that it is purposefully and incredibly slow demonstrating the slow progression and development of star constellations over millions, or eve billions of years. Mintaka is blazing fast, an analogy for the fiery heat and strength of a star, or in the case of Mintaka an extensive star cluster.
