Clear, cold light and quiet introspection infuse two moods of existential contemplation on a winter’s day. – RW
In Passages – a duet
This is a duet version for violin and piano of “In Passages” – originally scored for violin soloist and string orchestra and recorded by the Croatian Chamber Orchestra with conductor Miran Vaupotic.
Balancing on the Edge of Shadows
Recorded by violinist Audrey Wright and pianist Yundu Wang.
This work for violin and piano was commissioned by Audrey Wright in early 2020, and was beautifully recorded by Audrey and Yundu for the Navona Records release of Audrey’s album THINGS IN PAIRS.
The premiere music video features the exquisite performances of Audrey and Yundu, with sound-responsive lighting created for this project by Geoff Robertson.
An “encore” release of the recording is included on my new album PASSAGES THROUGH TIME.
Amazon Music * YouTube Music * Apple Music * Spotify
Program note: The times in which I live always seep into the music, so I write from those emotions, rather than conceptually. As I began writing this piece and followed through the journey into the music, it took on a life of its own within the emotional logic of the music. It evolved to be quite beautiful, mysterious, with delicate subtlety. There is also an element of suspense, as if balancing on an edge between dark and light – aware of an ominous potential of darkness. – RW
Imagined Tango
A miniature duet scored for flute and harp. (Video is a concert performance by Erëmira Çitaku, flute & Cagatay Akyol, harp at the June 19, 2019 Flute Sound concert at the National Library of Kosovo in Prishtinë, Kosovë)
Message Exchange
A duet for solo wind and marimba in two continuous movements.
I. That’s What I Heard
II. Are You Sure?
(Video features the US premiere performed by Transient Canvas at 2021 SCI Online Convention, Concert No. 6, Amy Advocat, bass clarinet and Matt Sharrock, marimba)
The version for bassoon and marimba was performed by Ensemble 337 (Jacqueline and Christopher Wilson) at the FOCAM: Festival of Contemporary Artists in Music, WSU Pullman, WA.
Just Beyond Reach
Program Note: Composed near the end of my mother’s long descent into dementia, as witness, I sought a release of wordless expression and reflection through music. –RW
Configurations
Both versions of the work as a duet for two cellists and a duet for cello & double bass are available through the score purchase link.
Score for cello & double bass
Score for two cellists
Changing By Turns
These Days
A reflection on grief so profound and existential that all flow of life essence and time seems to stop, “… I can no longer feel the wind of the future upon my face…” – RW
Soprano, Minkyung Lee beautifully captures the emotional essence of this song in her stunning performance on the Lux Musicae “Soloists” April 4, 2017 concert program at the Palmetto Center for the Arts.
These days – text
At Night
A reflection and questioning of life transitions and loves. At Night-text
SoundCloud track is the world premiere performance by mezzo-soprano Donna Balson.
Video features a recent InterXChange concert performance by Melanie Mitrano, with Gerson Galante on clarinet in São Paulo, Brazil. (A score of this version is available to purchase via the Score link.)
Why Is It?
Program note: A moment’s questioning of an emotional circumstance.
(Audio is a concert performance at Turtle Bay Music School, NYC)
Rhythm Modes
Purchase original CD release
Recording features Moravian Philharmonic musicians: Vit Muzik, Jakab Látal, violins; Dominika Muzikova, viola; Marian Pavlik, cello.
Program Note: The “modes” in Rhythm Modes include clocklike ostinato, canonic imitation and repetitions out of phase with either the meter or another instrument’s version of the same line. These rhythmic “modes” play upon the surface of the music in a lively intertwining of motives and melodies.
2001 Concert video features: Vita Wallace & Theresa Salomon, vlns; Liuh-Wen Ting, vla; Ariane Lallemand, vc.
Only to Ask – for winds
Audio is a concert performance by Vent Nouveau, with Katrina Owens, flute; Kristen Mather, clarinet; Briana Lehman, bassoon.
On Curious Reflection
(SoundCloud audio features concert performance by Nathan Shew, marimba, and Topher Ruggerio, piano, at the 2014 SCI National Conference.)
Program note: A curious reflection on the emotional immediacy of a moment, and the more distanced self-observation in the moment. – RW
(Video features the vibe/piano version premiere by percussionist Chris Graham and pianist Andrea Lodge at Greenwich House Music School, NYC)
Night Stream
2nd Release: PASSAGES THROUGH TIME, recorded by Moravian Philharmonic violinists: Antonín Hradil, and Jakab Látal, PARMA Recordings.
Purchase original CD release.
Program note: Reflecting on the flow of life and time, imagined impressionistically as lights streaming across a rain-streaked window on a late night taxi ride through city streets. –RW
Cable TV performance video features Miolina: Mioi Takeda & Lynn Bechtold
(YouTube Music track features violinists, Sylvia Ahramjian and Emily Hanna Crane performing at the 2014 PARMA Music Festival)
Moving Through Shadows & Light
A passage through an emotional landscape, moving through memories – at moments dark and remote, other times lucid. – RW
Moonlit Mists
An impressionistic duet for marimba and piano.
Jilted Tango – duet
Jilted Tango is included on Moonkyung Lee’s Navona Records album, PARTS TO PLAY.
Program Note: The give and take in a dance of love. -RW
Amazon *AppleMusic * Spotify
Video features a performance of a double bass/piano version of “Jilted Tango” performed by bassist Joel Braun with pianist Alexandre Maynegre-Torra, October 25, 2021 at the Butler School of Music, University of Texas/Austin.
In Conversation
Duets for a Duo – for winds
Video is a lovely performance by Aimee Toner and Megan Tracy at the The Muse’s Voice concert, October 31, 2018, Barnard College, NYC.
Two movements with only the slightest pause between. I. Reconsidering; II. Amidst Confusion
Program note: Duets for a Duo is one of my earliest compositions notated for mixed instruments. I was especially intrigued by the sounds of close intervals, primarily minor or major seconds – between instruments. The music is an interplay of winds through two movements that are meant to convey two emotional reflections. Reconsidering is a contemplative mood… a lingering premonition that something may not be what it seems and must be reconsidered on a deeper level. Followed by Amidst Confusion which reflects an emotional struggle that cannot be easily resolved amidst prevailing confusion.
Check out this concert recording by 2Flutes: Laura Falzon and Pamela Sklar and their New York Tapestries album.
