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.
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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
Turning Tides
Virtual World premiere performed by the Portland Youth Conservatory Strings April 10, 2021. Commissioned by the Portland Youth Philharmonic for the Youth Orchestra Commissioning Initiative.
Score and set of Parts are available through Subito Music Distribution.
Program note: In the autumn of 2020, I was feeling the forces of change and this became the emotional inspiration for the music. The feelings brought an image to mind of trying to balance on separate floats riding the currents, which sometimes move independently in different directions – creating a level of uncertainty and adventure, not quite sure of how to achieve a balance or how to maintain a footing while navigating the “turning tides.” – RW
“In my years of teaching general music as an Orff-Schulwerk music specialist for Pre-K through 6th grade elementary classes, I have never found “classical” music to be beyond the emotional range of my students – at any age. I believe that the real experience of music is about discovery and finding a sense of “ownership” of the process (whether as a musician performing or an audience member listening) and emotional identification. It would be so exciting to be able to share my music with youth orchestras. And, especially with regard to performing contemporary classical works, to share the sense of making history with the performance of a premiere!” – RW
My original video intro for the April 10, 2021 Portland Youth Philharmonic Festival virtual premiere of my commissioned piece “Turning Tides“ for the Youth Conservatory Strings.
