If I were to describe Rockhopper in a single word, it would be “rugged.” The opening gesture presents a rocky contour of rhythm and harmonies, invoking a stiff upper lip. This opening gambit gives way to a sense of motion, as the viola sings above the piano’s rugged ostinato.

The music draws inspiration from the image of a mountain biker navigating a daring parkour course—bounding over inclines, dodging stones, weaving through trees, and overcoming other obstacles. Along the way, moments of repose offer brief relief before the return to challenging and unpredictable terrain.