In Passages was originally written for violin soloist and string orchestra. This is a reworking as a violin solo.
Program Note: As with most of my works, the music arises from the emotional experience of life. I think of this as a reflection on the passages of emotion — that ebb and flow of the feelings that continually emerge and recede repeatedly throughout life.
Mixed Times of Yearning
Originally written as a miniature for viola, this is a reworking for solo cello. It is an interesting challenge to compose a work that is meant to fit within a very short timeframe, and have it stand as a complete piece of music that moves through a sense of emotional depth and development. The title refers not only to the mixed time signatures within the music, but also to a brief expression of mixed poignancies of yearnings encountered at different times in one’s life. – RW
Within Deep Currents
“Within Deep Currents” conveys some of the feelings I have had during this epic time of a global pandemic – a sense of immersion within a flow of time and a feeling of being slowly pulled along by underlying currents, as dynamic forces exert their influences through an interplay of diverse energies. – RW
Recorded by the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra Ostrava, Conductor, Stanislav Vavřínek for PARMA Recordings.
August 2020 Livestream Premiere: Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor, Stanislav Vavřínek
BaDaBaDaDa – for bass
Originally scored for low wind, I reworked the piece into this version for double bass.
The video features a wonderful home recording by bassist Joel Braun, who will include an excerpt in his presentation at the Texas Music Educators Association 2021 Convention. I love the sense of lyricism and sensitivity of dynamics he brought to the work. Plus, I’m very grateful that he shared his thoughts on the technical aspects of the work.
In my presentation I’m giving it as an example of an intermediate level piece… so maybe a 4 or 5 out of 10 on a scale? Note-wise it’s not terribly difficult. The end of the first page and second page offer some challenges because it requires covering a little more space with the intervals in the longer lyrical lines. There are also intonation challenges since it leaves the bass so naked and there’s enough repetition that if it’s not the same for each time it’s very noticeable. Otherwise, most of the challenges are musical like you mentioned – dynamic contrasts, timing/tempo, etc. So I think an intermediate player could handle it but also be challenged and pushed musically.
(Score shown here is transposed for Solo tuning. Purchase link is for the score in Orchestral tuning.)
Configurations
(Audio is a midi realization)
Solace
There are times I can only speak through the emotions of music. So, after a hard winter of life events, I composed this duet as solace.
(Audio is the midi realization)
Mixed Times of Yearning
Originally composed in response to a call for viola miniatures – It is an interesting challenge to compose a work that is meant to fit within a very short timeframe, and have it stand as a complete piece of music that moves through a sense of emotional depth and development. The title refers not only to the mixed time signatures within the music, but also to a brief expression of mixed poignancies of yearnings encountered at different times in one’s life. – RW
Karen Bentley Pollick performed the premiere of this miniature so exquisitely.
In Passages – violin soloist & string orchestra
Video features the PARMA recording by the Croatian Chamber Orchestra with Miran Vaupotić, Conductor, and Mojca Ramušćak, violin soloist.
Program Note: As with most of my works, the music arises from the emotional experience of life. I think of this as a reflection on the passages of emotion — that ebb and flow of the feelings that continually emerge and recede repeatedly throughout life. The music is written to blend the soloist and the orchestra, rather than the traditional role of the soloist being in the forefront. The soloist should seem to emerge from the orchestra in much the way that intense feelings seem to surface from the unconscious, giving voice to our inner emotional currents, and then recede back into the chorus of the subliminal. – RW
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Relays
(Audio features violinists, Anna Cromwell and Lisa Nelson from the Albany Records release “Dancing on Glass“)
In Tandem
Audio is the Premiere performance in Tokyo by Miolina: Mioi Takeda & Lynn Bechtold
(Video is a performance recording from The Muse’s Voice concert, October 31, 2018 at Barnard College, NYC.)
Alternating Currents
(Audio is a midi realization)
Changing By Turns
(Audio is a midi realization)
Then Again
Points of thought restated. – RW
(Audio features cellist, Mira Frisch from the “Dancing on Glass” CD release on Albany Records.)
Resonances
Program note: Resonances of sounds, resonances of emotions.
(Audio is a home studio recording by violinist, Eva Ingolf)
Resolves
The video features the World Premiere of Resolves beautifully performed by cellist, Roger Morelló Ros on October 30, 2020, Kulturkirche-Ost, Köln (Germany). (mask due to COVID measures)
Originally dedicated to cellist, Carmine Miranda.
Carmine breathes life into music with his soulful artistry and nuanced mastery. I am very grateful to have this demo studio recording as a work sample.
Paper Wings
Video is a performance by Audrey Wright recorded at An Die Musik livestream and with a concert audience, May 16, 2021, Baltimore, MD. This was the second event in Audrey Wright’s four-concert “Beyond Bach” series for solo violin.
Program note: Paper Wings is dedicated to my mother, Nancy Bondurant Jones, who, among many other lifetime accomplishments, was a writer. The title is in tribute to how her writings added meaning to her life, continually strengthened her resolve and lifted her spirits, as if with “paper wings”. –RW
(Originally composed for Michael Braudy’s request for a piece for solo violin.)
Frost Vapors
This short piece attempts to convey the ethereal beauty of frost and cold vaporous air. Originally written for Icelandic violinist, Eva Ingolf’s tribute to her homeland, as a land of mystery.
Video features a beautiful recital performance by virtuoso violinist, Kinga Augustyn in Wroclaw, Poland.
Conflictions
Reminiscent of children’s taunts, not the playfulness but rather the emotional complexity and impact – feeling “afflicted” with hurtful conflicts. – RW
(Audio is the 1998 premiere performed by Asmira Woodward-Page & Joyce Hammann, vlns; Ron Lawrence, vla; Tomas Ulrich, vc)
An Evening Indigo
A quiet introspection and contemplation of life in the hours of evening twilight. – RW
(Originally composed for violinist, Eva Ingolf’s call for short works for solo violin.)
“Video poem” features: Eva Ingolf, Violin; Poetry by Gunnbjorg Oladottir and Video by Rakel Steinarsdottir. (And the English translation of the poem.)
After Thought
An emotional reflection – surfacing after a thought just a moment past.
(Audio is a home recording by violinist Sylvia Ahramjian.)
