James McGowan

1.  Threads of Fate   2:50

This piece is the album's title track, which serves as the overture to the staged production. The music previews several of the themes used throughout the album. Solos featured on this track are by Richard Page on alto sax, James McGowan on piano, and Jamie Holmes on drums.

Fun fact: The middle section with sax solo builds from a simple piano montuno to cacophony, by using a layering approach of each section of the ensemble. This represents the narrative conflict of everyone living different lives within the same labyrinth in the story to come. 

2.  On Your Own    5:59

This piece is primarily classical in nature, created using an additive compositional technique where the ensemble layers are gradually revealed. Starting with string quartet, it adds bass, then solo cello by Cal McGowan and drums, then finally the horn section with the main melody. The melody references the main theme to Song Without Words (from Reaching Out). The opening section also features spoken poetry by Alisa Rogul, Aleks Demkina, and Kateryna Karpova. The poems introduce the listener to ancient Greek mythology of the goddesses of fate and how our presentation explores its themes in a contemporary understanding.

3.  Lost in the Labyrinth 2:32

This piece features solo work by Cal McGowan, JP Lapensée, James McGowan, and Richard Page. An unsettling work in a 7 feel, the music captures the growing unease of people trapped in their labyrinth lives, trying to escape. The music builds upon "Internal Conflict" (from the album Reaching In).

4.  Goddesses of Fate 5:03

This piece introduces the three main antagonists—the goddesses of fate. They present themselves as mystical beings and captivates the people. The main goddesses of fate theme is first presented here in solo violin by Cendrine Despax, a melodic motif that recurs frequently throughout the whole work, whenever the goddesses are part of the action. This work features a scene with a goddess controlling the actions of a young man, the male protagonist, musically represented by two saxophones playing a duet, featuring Richard Page and Mike Tremblay. A trombone solo features Mark Ferguson, capturing the young man's confusion but eventual succumbing to the goddesses wishes.

5.  Battle for the Thread of Life 2:29

Following the loss of the young man, several people fight back to control their own threads of life, led by the female protagonist who is imprisoned at the end. The dramatic music continues directly from the previous track, and features a full ensemble playing an intricate rock-style fugue.

6.  Alone in the Dark 2:23

This piece features the Despax String Quartet playing a repeating, trapped ostinato figure, over which Mike Tremblay plays a haunting tenor sax solo. The piece ends with the protagonist escaping from her prison captured by Cal McGowan's dramatic solo cello solo. But her departure brings despair to the goddesses. One can see this visually represented as the album front cover photo.

7.  Second Chance 4:11

Two young men discover the world, the joys of play, but then fight for control. Featuring strings and an alto sax solo by Rich Page, the vignette ends in the way it begins.

8.  Temptation 3:13

The goddesses tempt three girls with bright lights, but they resist. Everyone in the ensemble is presented here with a piano solo by McGowan providing running commentary throughout.

9.  Illusion of Love 3:16

Two lovers dance to a lovely melody, but once one of goddesses tempts the man, he is conflicted. Musical conflict permeates this piece, but eventually he is seduced by the goddess and his lover is dismissed. He thinks he has found joy but the goddess is not his new lover; he is now alone, lost. A violin solo by Cendrine Despax, a trumpet solo by Ed Lister, and a disintegrating solo by McGowan completes the piece.

10. Obedience or Freedom 2:23 

The finale of Act 1, this piece shows the male protagonist struggling with a choice to obey the path that fate has laid out for him, or to choose freedom. The turmoil is reflected in the decision, but sadly he finally chooses obedience. His theme, presented here, was foreshadowed in the overture and returns in the finale. Shorts solos by many in the ensemble are featured here including Maxime Despax on pizzicato viola, Cal McGowan on cello, Cendrine Despax on violin, and James McGowan on piano.