Three themes are critical to Images of the Aurora Borealis at varying explicit and metaphorical levels. The most obvious is the visual metaphor of the northern lights, from which all harmonies and timbres in the work are derived. The ephemeral phenomenon gives the piece its fragmentary, luid form, the effect of which is emphasized by the accompanying photographs taken by the composer in May of 2024. The second main idea is the extended techniques that permeate the solo lute part with airy, percussive, and unusual sounds, as well as decorating the orchestra with subtle and overt colour shifts. Finally, at the deepest level, the piece is about disability: the perception, by others or by oneself, of being different, or strange, or weird. Written and premiered by disabled female musicians, the work is a celebration of what can be accomplished by those traditionally perceived as less-than. These three main concepts—disability, extended techniques, and the aurora borealis—are joined by one common, central thread. All of them may be strange, but they can also be remarkably beautiful.