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Variation of a Theme (1997) Duration: 5' 30" Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2 2.2.1.1 strings (for youth orchestra) Alternate Versions: Availability: from the composer Recordings: no commercial recording (archival recording available for audition) Program Notes: In 1996, I composed a piece for double bass and piano entitled Contraforte. This work proved to be a turning point for me in two ways. To start, it was the first substantial piece I had composed in many years that was very melodic and tonal (a departure from most of my previous writing). Secondly, the composition contained such a wealth of musical material that it occurred to me to "borrow" from it, further develop portions of the music and render other compositions. Subsequent compositions produced from material derived from Contraforte include a smaller piece for double bass and piano, a larger work for string orchestra, and a trio for flute, viola, and harp. The music of Variation of a Theme was also derived and further developed as a seperate composition. That material is, of course, the "theme" referred to by the work's title. Although the term "minimalist" is not a
label I generally
apply to my music, this piece
is somewhat "minimalist-inspired". It employs the musical idea of a
simple,
repetitive gesture consisting of a few pitches and a uniform rhythmic
pattern,
with a static tonal center and a steady pulse. For example, the opening
bars
with the solo violins, and then the slow "layering" of this simple
gesture
as the lower strings enter. This sort of interplay is scattered
throughout
the work. Additionally, at the mid-point of this short piece is an
"Ives-ian"
(i.e., the composer Charles Ives) passage of roughly twenty measures,
where
there are actually two alternate "themes" being presented concurrently.
One
is in the string section (with winds doubling), and the second is in
the
brass. This creates a very dense, thick texture in sharp contrast to
the
lighter, sparser texture of the passages that surround this mid-point
section. Among my other specific intentions while
composing Variation
of a Theme was to create a piece
that would be enjoyable to
perform, but also "audience friendly"
for any casual listener or general concert-goers.
Additionally,
for
the players, I intended this work to be a venue for some brief solo
spotlights throughout each section, as well as full orchestra ensemble
playing. First Performance: Variation of a Theme was premiered by the Old Post Road Orchestra in Ludlow Massachusetts on November 11 & 12, 2000 (Neal Schermerhorn, conducting) and later aired on the Wilbraham Public Broadcast (PBS) affiliate station. Other Performances: The Wooster Youth Symphony, Wooster, Ohio (Eric Benjamin, conducting) on December 4, 2010. The Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra (Eric Benjamin, conducting) on March 11, 2007. The Canton Youth Orchestra (Eric Benjamin, conducting). The Akron Youth Symphony at E.J. Thomas Hall, Akron, Ohio (Eric Benjamin, conducting) on May 5, 2002. The 36th SCI National Conference by the Akron Youth Symphony at Guzzetta Recital Hall, Akron, Ohio (Eric Benjamin, conducting) on April 20, 2002. |