February 20, 2011
Two New Pieces, A Violin Octet, and a Trio for Vibes, Trumpet and Bass
The Hutchins Consort
Joe McNalley, artistic director for The Hutchins Consort contacted me last month and asked if I'd like to write a piece for their incredible octet of violins of all sizes. Here's a brief history of the ensemble from a recent profile in the New York Times:
'The ensemble was assembled to play the so-called new violin family designed and built by Carleen Hutchins, a luthier who during the 1950s sought to enable a putative musical revolution from her home workshop in Montclair, N.J.
Mrs. Hutchins, who died in August, was spurred by a request from the avant-garde composer Henry Brant. He wanted a range of instruments that would share the specific tonal qualities of a violin instead of the varying sounds produced by the modern viola, cello and double bass. A decade of experimentation resulted in a set of eight violins ranging in size from the 11-inch treble to the 7-foot contrabass, each pitched half an octave apart.
I was eager to work with this type of sonically experimental ensemble and quickly got to work. The result is The Song of R'lyeh for Violin Octet. It's 8 minutes of almost orchestral textures, featuring quartertone-enhanced melodies. The title comes from H.P. Lovecraft, and is a other-worldly graveyard in the middle of the Pacific Ocean where sleeps unspeakable monsters. The piece is both monstrous, otherworldly, and ecstatic. They'll be starting rehearsals shortly I'm told in both the San Diego and the New York City sister consort.
The Song of R'lyeh for Violin Octet - Realization
Bassist Matt Gold asked me to write a piece for his new trio, comprised of trumpet, vibraphone and bass and the result was my latest piece, a dark bit of slow walking funkiness, Trio Diverses. It's in the realm of my older pieces such as Gnomos for Bassoon, Flute and Piano, a cassoulet of funk and poignant tunes. I'll be putting up the score and parts sometime next week.
Trio Diverses for Trumpet, Vibraphone and Contrabass - Realization
Fellow composer and Paris-based violist, Nigel Keay, has been working up my new Tango for Viola and Piano and they're looking at getting into a studio to record it sometime in the next couple of months. Nigel has also helped me tweak the viola part so that it's a bit easier to play - the revised score and parts are here:
Tango for Viola and Piano - Score
Tango for Viola and Piano - Viola Part
Tango for Viola and Piano - Realization
Last month I also wrote a Tango for Piano Quintet. It's 6 or so very hot minutes of reflective atmospherics and hot, explosive action. I'll put the score up sometime next month.
Tango for Piano Quintet - Realization
I've got two more solo cello pieces in the works, one with quartertones and not as folky as Quarter Dollar Tones and one quite Bach like in its harmonies, but with a ferocious vibe. And I've started writing a few violin duets. The Cross Island Ensemble has performed my Nocturne for Cello and Piano a few more times and they plan on recording it for their next CD in March.
As always, if you're interested in requesting a piece from me, all I require is that you promise me a good performance and a recording. No money down!
Posted by jeff at February 20, 2011 07:13 AM