Strings

Three Pieces for ‘Cello and Orchestra

Peony for Piano Trio (5:12)
Violin, ‘Cello and Piano | Purchase Full Score and Parts

Sonata for Violin and Piano

I. Introduction & Toccata (4:31)
Violin and Piano | Purchase Full Score and Part

II. Sonnet (4:16)
Violin and Piano | Purchase Full Score and Part

III. Idyll (4:13)
Violin and Piano | Purchase Full Score and Part

IV. Games & Epilogue (11:20)
Violin and Piano | Purchase Full Score and Part

Purchase the Complete Sonata (Full Score and Parts)

In it’s entirety it is a representation of 4 stages of serious personal relationships.

I. “Introduction & Toccata” Attraction hinted at/expressed with the opening solo Violin, with a minor key phrase, interrupted by and completed by the other in the happier major key. Following is a somewhat lively toccata ending on the dominant – a note most hopeful it seems to Gabrieli and to me.
II. Movement, “Sonnet”, not in the poetic technical description but the meaning in music.
again the initial protagonist, leading into the melody which gets tossed around by both. It’s last Here a little song rather timidly approached and stepped into by the pizzicato violin, which its note becomes the first note of the III. Movement, creating a connection.
III. “Idyll”. This movement, begun by the other protagonist, is more serene – until – doubt and jealously appear. That resolved it happily goes on in it’s initial serene style.
IV. “Games & Epilogue” is begun simultaneously by both, but with their very first notes in a competitive sharp dissonance, which spirals downward into the ‘chase – catch – escape’ game with a continual repetition of that sequence. Interjected between those games are reminders of the meaning of each of the preceding movements. When it finally quiets down there is a crab canon signifying a purity and strength of the relationship (by being the same whether performed frontwards or backwards). Following that the intended to be very soulful, noble ending.

It was recorded by artists Aleksey Semenenko, Violin and Artem Belogurov, on a Steinway Piano at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts. Frank Cunningham, Engineer. Producer: Maureen Amaral. Expected Bis label CD release Nov. 8, 2021 at a premier Concert, Wigmore Hall, London

Greyledge Pool (8:13) | Purchase Full Score and Parts
String Orchestra
The inspiration for this piece was a painting of Greyledge Pool, Cos Cob, Connecticut by Leonard Ochtman, depicting a pair of swans gracefully floating in what was a pristine pool when painted in 1930.

A Summer Song of Birds, “Eagle” (3:37) | Purchase Full Score and Part
Violin and Piano

Soliloquy for Horn and Strings (4:49) | Purchase (Full Score and Parts)
Horn and String Orchestra

I began with the idea fixed that music is as simple as a single note beautifully played on an instrument. Then I thought of the Horn, and then to decide ‘Yes, but what register?’ Showing all of the Horn’s wonderfully contrasting registers and functions in a fairly short space of time I thought would be a revelation to many listeners. Next thought ‘what would be the ideal background?’ “Strings” was the answer. The rest flowed from those thoughts. The Premier performance was in Jordan Hall, Boston, Kevin Owen, Horn soloist with the Boston Chamber Orchestra, David Feltner conductor.

Duo Concertante “Chiaroscuro” for Violin, Piano and Orchestra (13:30)
Purchase Full Score and Solo Parts | Purchase Orchestra Parts

Macbeth Soliloquy & Aftermath, Scene V (9:47) | Purchase Full Score and ‘Cello Part
Baritone Voice, ‘Cello and Piano