Scott Ordway: The End of Rain Concert II

J.S. Bach Largo from Sonata for Solo Violin No. 3 in C Major (1720)
Josquin de Prez Nymphes des bois arr. for string quartet by Scott Ordway (1497)
Arvo Pärt Summa (1977)

J.S. Bach Sarabande from Cello Suite No. 4 in E-flat major, arr. for viola (1723)
Scott Ordway New Work TBD
Beethoven Cavatina from String Quartet in Bb major, Op. 130 and Grosse Fuge Op. 133 (1825)

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THE END OF RAIN is a multidisciplinary project that interweaves landscape photography, documentary video, oral history, poetry, and orchestral music to examine the profound transformation of California's ecological and human landscapes in an era of escalating wildfire and drought.

From 2017–2020, catastrophic wildfires ravaged California, impacting even the ancient coastal redwood forests—home to some of the largest and oldest living trees on Earth. These forests, typically protected by cool marine fog that moderates temperatures and provides crucial moisture, became unexpectedly vulnerable as changing climate patterns disrupted their natural protective systems. 

While fire is a natural part of forest ecosystems, prolonged drought transformed these fires into unprecedented infernos capable of destroying entire towns within hours. This dramatic shift exposed a fundamental change in how Californians perceive and interact with their natural environment.

Over six journeys through California's most remote regions, I witnessed a landscape in profound transition. The wilderness—once perceived as a sanctuary of peace and inspiration—had become a place of danger and ecological uncertainty. My work documents this transformation: capturing landscapes scarred by fire, communities reshaped by environmental trauma, and the stark imagery of a region experiencing radical ecological disruption. I discovered a California rarely seen by global audiences—a place of astonishing beauty intertwined with austerity, isolation, and environmental upheaval.

Complementing the visual narrative, I interviewed over 200 individuals, their voices becoming the textual foundation for "The End of Rain"—a symphonic composition commissioned by the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and performed by the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth. Audio and video of the orchestral composition is presented on the screen in the gallery.

Recent catastrophic fires in Los Angeles are a stark reminder of the profound impact of climate change on the American West. Through this fusion of photography, narrative, and music, The End of Rain explores how fire and drought fundamentally reshape landscapes, communities, and the inner lives of individuals everywhere. — Scott Ordway (2025)

The February 7 opening reception will include an artist talk by Scott Ordway and a concert by the Arneis String Quartet.  Another musical program will be featured at the close of the exhibition on March 7.

Scott Ordway (b. 1984, California) is an American composer, writer, and multimedia artist. His widely recognized work integrates text, music, and visual media to explore the relationship between landscape and culture in the contemporary United States. Heard in major concert halls around the world, Ordway’s music has been praised as “exquisite” (New York Times), “soul-stirring” (BBC), and “haunting and beautiful” (San Francisco Chronicle). He is Associate Professor of Music Composition at Rutgers University.