Abstractions

For Violin, Clarinet and Piano
Duration: 14 minutes

2005

1. Introduction; sospìrándo ad libitum
2. Presto; risveliáto e energicaménte

Second Place in the Austin Peay State University's Young Composer Competeition

Program Note:

Composed between the summer of 2005 and spring of 2006, the sketches for this work began in the last weeks of a month-long stay in Bulgaria. While in Bulgaria I worked with many musicians, but was particularly inspired by a young Bulgarian violinist. I wanted to write a piece that could describe what I had experienced but did not wish to be programmatic; therefore I decided to be less referential in conveying what I had experienced in a country that inspired me – hence the “abstraction” of the title. The work itself is in two movements, a sospìrándo introduction moving immediately (attacca) into a lively Presto.

Recording:

Performers: John Friedrichs, Vladamir Pritsker, Sar-Shalom Strong

Score

Performance History:

- Broadcast on WCNY Classic FM's Fresh Ink program

- Performance at the Everson Gallery as part of the Society for New Music's 2004-05 Season

- Premiered at the SCI Region II conference at Hamilton College, Clinton, NY