The title refers to several aspects of the piece, most notably its rising harmonic structure (Sky) and its rhythmic design, which begins placidly and gradually becomes more aggressive (Unfolds). Dramatic and lyrical in character, the piece begins with a spacious viola solo and no clear pulse. As the piano enters, the piece takes on a dark mood. A pulse gradually becomes clear, and through a succession of metric modulations the tempo increases imperceptibly through sections of lyricism to eventually become driving and aggressive. The opening material makes a brief return to end the piece.

“The third concert was the most consistently enjoyable of the entire festival. Standout works were Georgiev’s Dialogues for clarinet and cello, and Womack’s Once the Sky Unfolds for viola and piano.”

— American Record Guide, September/October 1996, in its review of Florida State University’s Eighth Biennial Festival of New Music