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Contraforte (1996) Duration: 13' 00" Instrumentation: double bass, piano Alternate Versions: Availability: from the composer Recordings: no commercial recording (archival recording available for audition) Program Notes: During my first discussion about writing this piece for double bass and piano, it was requested that I not write a piece with "a bunch of pops, snaps, knocks, raps, and other extraneous noises" in it. But rather to create a melodic, lyrical work that emulated the more "classical" style writing of the other orchestral string instruments, but in a modern language. I consider both approaches to be a challenge in writing for the double bass, and working on this piece certainly did not disappoint me in facing that challenge. The piece is divided into four broad sections. The first section begins with a sort of "Call to Arms" between the bass and piano and goes on to introduce much of the lyrical material that is used throughout the whole work. The second section begins as a spotlight for the bass to solo, and then cautiously pauses to begin a "call and answer" dialogue between bass and piano. The third section starts with certainty using the opening "Call" from the beginning (somewhat modified) and continues with a frenzy until the final section arrives with more "majestic" phrasing reminiscent of prior material, and very high "pedal tones" in the bass. First Performance: "New Directions" Concert with the Tampa Bay Composers Forum in St. Petersburg, FL (March 1999) with Mark Neuenschwander (double bass) and Peter Blauvelt (piano). Other Performances: Broadcast on The Society for New Music "Fresh Ink" program, Nov 2003 (WCNY-FM Syracuse, WUNY-FM Utica, and WJNY Watertown). SCI Regional Conference at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL (Nov 1999) with Luiz Gomez-Imbert (double bass) and Carlos Amat (piano). |