Pieces of Winter Sky is a composition for chamber ensemble by the American composer Aaron Jay Kernis.
[1][2] The piece was a runner-up for 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Music, losing to Caroline Shaw's Partita for 8 Voices.
[3][4] Pieces of Winter Sky has a duration of roughly 22 minutes and is composed in a single movement.
Fragments of bird song, most notably the song of the Winter Wren (heard in slow motion), are played by the clarinet, beginning a middle section which features soloists from the ensemble – clarinet cello, violin and piano.
Schubert's aching, unyielding song cycle, Winterreise (Winter Journey) echoes from the distant past – like faint, spiritual radio waves....[1]The work is scored for a small ensemble comprising flute, clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, and cello.