Calli was composed for the Calliope Duo as part of a set of miniatures commissioned for the Diaspora Festival at the University of California, San Diego. The title is reminiscent of the two-syllable titles used by Italian composer Franco Donatoni. It is also the first five letters of the word "Calliope"; the beginning (mis-spelled) of "California," where I met the members of the Calliope Duo; and an alternate spelling of the name of the goddess Kali. The unspoken text of the work is "Om Kali Ma! Jai Kali Ma!"