Chamber Music for Strings

Present Affections (2000-2003), for Violin and Piano, about 25 minutes. Six movements, all deriving their melodic material from the first, played without break: I. Recitativo (cantus firmus [score excerpt]), II. Sleep-deprived (aria languida [score excerpt], III. Multitasking (variazioni frenetiche [score excerpt]), IV. Dressed to Kill (gavotte à la jazz [score excerpt]), V. Significantly Otherless (musetta lacrimosa; violin plays offstage [score excerpt]), and VI. Burnout (gigue psychotique [score excerpt]). In the Baroque, composers generally restricted a movement of a work to the expression of one state of the human mind, or affection, resulting in the single-mindedness typical of a movement in the Baroque style. Present Affections, loosely modeled on a Baroque solo sonata, takes a similar approach-- evoking, with a touch of humor, some common contemporary human states that have earned colorful mass-media labels. Really a duet for piano and violin; both parts intended for professionals. $15, available directly from me. No recording yet available.

Polka Diabolique (2001), in Sonata-polka form, for Viola and Piano, durations about 8 minutes. (score excerpt) Rendered with all the kinetic enthusiasm of an ordinary polka, this piece inconspicuously incorporates several humorous quotations (The Rite of Spring, Beer Barrel Polka, Night on Bald Mountain, The Twilight Zone, The Chicken Dance). A couple of sips from a strategically-placed beer stein, before, during or after the performance, will help set the mood. Difficult. $7, available directly from me. No recording yet available.

An Afternoon in a Striped Balloon (1998), for 'cello and piano, about 2:50. (score excerpt) A dreamy piece in moderate tempo, designed to be playable by a 4th-year 'cellist and pianist. Comes with alternate solo parts for viola and violin. $5.95 (VC-50), from Latham Music, Ltd. www.latham-music.com Recording available.

Hannah's Waltz (1996), for viola or 'cello and piano, about 3:10. (score excerpt) A jazz waltz/lullaby for a young soloist with piano accompaniment. Alternates between even 8ths and "swing" 8ths; some pizzicato. Fairly easy; available from Manduca Music Publications (#50269, $4). www.manducamusic.com

Contra-Dances (2002), for ‘Cello Duet, about 12 minutes. Though not stylized dances, these pieces are are vaguely suggestive of dancing in their motoric and somewhat repetitive rhythms; they are “contra” in that the two players frequently exchange roles. All are in rondo-like forms and employ various sorts of ostinati. I. Bow-Tied (3:15) (score excerpt) is an all-pizzicato movement with A sections in a lopsided 3/4-7/8 meter and contrasting B sections with a somewhat Middle Eastern flavor; II. Multi-Plied (5:55) (score excerpt) is a slow and pensive ABA moves in a more balletic fashion. In the outer sections, diatonic melodies float over colorful accompaniment patterns; the movement’s title is suggested by the manner in which the various tone colors and disjunct ranges give the illusion of more than two layers, or “plies.” In the middle section the two instruments discuss their relationship in a number of brief, lyrical canons; III. High-Fived (6:20) (score excerpt) has an abundance of perfect fifths and a generally rough-hewn sound that lend this sonata-rondo the character of a rustic folk dance. Ending is humorous-- an actual high-five by the players. Fairly difficult. $10, available directly from me; nice recording available.

Significant Others (1994), for viola and bass (or violin and 'cello; specify when ordering), about 14 minutes w/pauses. In 4 programmatic movements (the viola part is female, the bass part is a male jazz player): "Come Here Often?," (3:30) (score excerpt) "Marche Hormonale," (2:42) (score excerpt) "Potatoes and Potahtoes," (3:30) (score excerpt) and "Bliss." (3:15) (score excerpt) Written as a wedding present for friends, the sounds and the content invite the use of appropriate facial expressions and body language in performance. Awarded Honorable Mention in the 1997 International Society of Bassists Composition Contest. Nice recording available of performance at the 2000 Southeastern Composers' League Forum at UNC Greensboro. Fairly difficult. $15, available from Ludwin Music. www.ludwinmusic.com

Too Many Notes (2006), for Three ‘Cellos. (score excerpt) This is a sonata with the usual order of exposition events reversed in the recapitulation. In honor of Mozart's 250th birthday and his always elegant treatment of sonata form-- which I have tried in my small way to emulate in this piece-- the retransition quotes the opening theme of the last movement of his 41st symphony. There are a number of rock-inspired motoric sections and a wide range of textural colors are included; solos for all players. Performed by the Fine Arts Center group for whom it was written at the 2006 Converse College High School Chamber Music Competition, where their performance won 1st place; a recording of this performance is available. Somewhat difficult; duration about 6 minutes. $5, available directly from me.

Ménage à Trio (1994), for 2 violas and 1 'cello (W-087), or, standard string trio (W-089, specify when ordering), 5 minutes. (score excerpt) Fast, turbulent, octatonic scales, textures and dynamics extremely varied. Good showpiece for all players. Fairly difficult. Available from Frank Warren Music Service ($19.95); recording available.

Nostalgias (1991, revised 1997), for piano trio about 21 minutes w/pauses. Commissioned by the Kandinsky Trio. Three programmatic movements: "Cantankerous," (score excerpt) about my first car (moderate tempo, motoric, humorous, 4:35); "Cavernous," (score excerpt) about an early teenage visit to Carlsbad Caverns (slow, lush and atmospheric, 6:15); and "Calamitous," (score excerpt) about the torture of high school generally (turbulent, polyphonic, 9:00). Movements are somewhat interrelated. Difficult, especially the 3rd movement. Available directly from me, $25; recording available.

Death, Taxes, and Tristan (1992), for piano trio, about 51/2 minutes. (score excerpt) A send-up of the famous 1859 Prelude to Tristan und Isolde by Richard Wagner. The melodic material is derived (er, stolen...) from Wagner, and set in jazzy harmonies. Slow, romantic (duh), mostly in 3. Solos for all players, no swing rhythms. Medium difficulty. Available from Manduca Music Publications (#50300, $5). www.manducamusic.com Very nice recording available.

Edigitudes (2005), Three Hollywood Stereotypes for String Quartet and Synthesized Sounds, about 11 minutes with pauses. Movements: I. Invading Aliens Love Theme (score excerpt), II. Third World Jungle Espionage (score excerpt), and III. Suburban Angst & Pluck (score excerpt). I frequently complain about the effect that typical movie scores have had on much of the audience, conditioning them to react in a practically Pavlovian manner to hackneyed combinations of sounds. It seemed a good way to mock this whole state of affairs by indulging in exactly this sort of stereotyping, with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Requires an on-stage stereo system to play a CD of electronic sounds with which the group plays along; 2nd movement requires a large rain stick. Available directly from me, $30; package includes performance CD & parts, rehearsal CD & parts, and score with set-up instructions. Recording available.

Scherzophrenia (2002) is generally turbulent, with frequent and sudden variations in texture, color, and mood. (score excerpt) There are no literal repeats of any portion, though the melodic material adheres to a strict diet of minor 2nds and major and minor 3rds throughout. Fairly difficult, duration about 5:20. Available directly from me, $10; recording of the premiere available.

A Skeleton in the Closet (1999) (score excerpt) A comical Halloween-ish piece, with lots of special effects and stage antics; Halloween dressing-up is encouraged. Moderate difficulty, duration about 4:20. Available from Latham Music, Ltd. www.latham-music.com. Recording available.

September Blue (1999), w/optional bass part, duration about 2:50. (score excerpt) A bluesy piece in moderate tempo, designed for younger players. Some swing rhythms; not difficult. Available from Latham Music, Ltd. www.latham-music.com.

String Quartet #3 (the "Automotive," 1998). About 30 minutes w/pauses. Five ironic character pieces, describing automobiles (and one bulldozer) named after animals: I. Impala (fast, 7:18) (score excerpt), II. Caterpillar (slow and ponderous, 3:00) (score excerpt), III. Beetle (waltz, 4:06) (score excerpt), IV. Jaguar (slow and lyrical, 8:37) (score excerpt), and V. Mustang (fast, 6:06) (score excerpt). There are some stage antics involving stomping feet, balloons, and a set of wrenches. Difficult,$25, available directly from me; professionally recorded (for excerpts, go to the "Recordings" page).

Holiday Jazz (1993), 11 traditional Yuletide melodies in jazz, most in the 3-4 minutes range. (score excerpt) The collection covers a wide variety of jazz and related styles. Titles include "We Wish You a Merry Tango," "Yeah, Joy," "Somebody Jingled My Bells" (includes a sleigh bells part for 2nd violin), "We Three Kings in 3 Be We," "Fiddlin' on the Housetop" (bluegrass), "Auld Lang Syne," and so on. Very suitable for December gigs. Some of these will also work with larger groups. $16.95 from Latham Music, Ltd. www.latham-music.com Recording available.

String Quartet #2 (the "Nautical,"1991, revised 1995). With pauses, about 15 minutes. Three character pieces: "Pegleg," (3:01) (score excerpt) "Adrift," (6:40) (score excerpt) and "Great White"(4:54) (score excerpt). Outer movements exploit ostinati and humor. 2nd movement, slow and atmospheric, includes use of an unusual percussion instrument (played intermittently by the 2nd violin) called an Aqua-harp. Score includes instructions for ordering the Aqua-harp (about $160, very cool sound, a bit like whale song), or , alternately, using a kitchen pot partially filled with water (cheap, but less cool). 'Cellist also occasionally plays a simple shaker (about $2.50). For more detailed explanation before buying, request a complete copy of the performance notes from the score. $20, available directly from me; professionally recorded (for excerpts, go to the "Recordings" page).

Brieflets (Quartet #1, 1989), about 12 minutes with pauses. This is a set of 4 character pieces: "Fidgeting," (2:20) (score excerpt) about an audience member trying to get comfortable and stay awake; "Mourning," (4:14) (score excerpt) about a child who loses a beloved pet; "Badgering," (2:01) (score excerpt) about a nagging wife and her insensitive husband; and "Panicking," (2:21) (score excerpt) about a young musician waiting for an audition. Moderately difficult. Not computer notation, but very neatly manuscripted. $10, available directly from me; professionally recorded (for excerpts, go to the "Recordings" page).

Passacaglia (2000), for 3 violas, 2 cellos, and bass (violin substitution possible for Violas I & II), about 5:10. (score excerpt) A neoclassical work, based on the 8-7-6-5 minor mode Baroque passacaglia bass ostinato. Mostly polyphonic, with a few coloristic passages; moderate tempo, parts very independent. Performed by the Fine Arts Center group for whom it was written at the 2001 Converse College High School Chamber Music Competition, where their performance won 2nd place; a recording by this ensemble is available. Available directly from me, $10.

The Number of Things (1999), for alto saxophone, marimba, and string quartet, about 11 minutes. (score excerpt) Commemorates the 25th Anniversary of the Greenville Fine Arts Center through the incorporation of the notes F, A, and C (with chromatic alterations), the street number of the Center's address (1613), and the numbers 5 and 25. Mostly fast and motoric, with a slower, lyrical section near the end. Includes some 4-mallet playing in marimba. Premiered by Fine Arts Center students at special 25th anniversary concert. Available directly from me, $15. Recording of the premiere available.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game (arr. 1998), for four violins or four violas, about 4 minutes. (score excerpt) A comedic theater piece that includes various silly quotations. Performers dress like three baseball players and one umpire; foam rubber baseballs are hit with a viola; the 4th viola is eventually thrown out of the concert for protesting the umpire's call of three wrong notes in a row. Not for anyone who thinks such things should be formal. Available from Latham Music, Ltd. www.latham-music.com.

A Stitch in Time (1992), for 5-part strings, about 41/2 minutes. (score excerpt) A moderate tempo etude employing jazz rhythms and harmony, with numerous special effects, including col legno battuto and some unpitched vocalizing. The 2nd part could be played by violin or viola, and the bottom part by bass and/or 'cello. Also performable by a larger string orchestra. Available from Frank Warren Music Service (W-120, $14); recording available.

A Moment's Notice (1990), for 5-part strings, about 5 minutes. (score excerpt) Adagio, espressivo, some jazz harmony. Mostly in chorale texture; pensive, reflective. 1st violin carries the most of the melody, with a solo for the 3rd & 4th parts in the middle. Flexible instrumentation: 3rd voice playable by violin and/or viola, 4th voice by viola and/or 'cello, and 5th voice by 'cello and/or bass. Can be performed as a chamber piece or by a larger string orchestra. $5, available directly from me; nice recording available.

Allegretto Animoso (1985; revised 1987, previously titled String Thing), for 5-part strings (requires bass for 5th part), grade 3, about 2:45. (score excerpt) Can be done as chamber music, or with a larger string orchestra. Brief sonata form, fast, syncopated, loosely tonal, emphasis on perfect intervals and tritones. 1st theme in 1st violin, 2nd in viola & 'cello. This was published in 1988 by Warner Brothers, but is out of print; as of now you can only get it directly from me, $10. Studio demo recording available.