Part of a commissioning project for new works for women's/treble voices by Christopher Cerrone and Ayanna Woods that depict present and future worlds through the lens of shifting weather patterns and impending climate change.

Composer's note: Inspired by a poetic table of wind measurements from the 19th century, Beaufort Scales traces a trajectory from placidity (“Sea like a mirror / Smoke rises vertically”) to calamity. The original scale—12 steps, two hundred words—is the scaffolding for an exploration of changing weather phenomenon in our modern era. Cerrone treats Beaufort’s original text as a moiré—he interweaves texts from authors throughout history—Melville, Teju Cole, Anne Carson—to create a kaleidoscopic view of weather, all headed towards an inexorable climax: “The air is filled with foam and spray / Devastation.” Beaufort Scales is a cautionary tale in the era of climate change.

The first movement “Sea Like a Mirror” received its virtual premiere on November 16th, 2020. The premiere will occur in the 2023-2024 concert season.