Cloud Breathing by Larry Barnes, for Oboe and Piano. Cloud breathing is a technique in Chinese martial arts involving short, sharp inhaling breaths and a slow exhale to oxygenate the body in preparation for fighting, meditation and healing. In this work, the piano begins in the upper register with tones like wind chimes, with the oboe entering beneath. This meditative first section leads to sudden shifts in harmony under a quiet oboe melody. Activity increases, leading to an oboe cadenza and a fast section based on rapid repeated notes in the oboe with the piano accompanying with contrapuntal lines. A brief piano solo leads to fragments of melody from the slow opening, now transformed. After a fortissimo climax, the quiet wind chime opening suddenly returns. The music gradually regains momentum to break into a bright Lydian climax and a strong close.