Big Lake

Lake Superior, as it is most commonly known today, goes by many names. In the Ojibwa language, it is called gichi-gami, gitchi-gami, or kitchi-gami, loosely translated as “Big Sea” or “Huge Water.” Kayakers and paddlers often refer to her affectionately as the “Big Lake.” Having spent many happy hours on this vast body of water, I have come to appreciate how wondrous and mercurial she can be—calm and peaceful one moment, then suddenly ominous and lively the next. These shifts can occur within the same day, hour, or even minute. The three movements of this piece, played without pause, reflect the lake’s beauty and unpredictability. The first, Clapotis, depicts the chaotic motion of waves rebounding off rock and shoreline. The second evokes pack ice drifting shoreward in early spring. The final movement, Rogue Wave, captures the sudden, mysterious waves that appear even on calm days, bringing excitement and surprise.