Solo

A work commissioned by flutist Marya Martin, written in memory of Robin Williams.

A song with text by Mark Campbell, commissioned for the OPERA America Songbook

A work for solo violin, commissioned by eighth blackbird for its violinist, Matthew Albert.

A short work for violin and piano

A setting of Dorianne Laux’s beautiful poem of the same name commissioned by Renée Fleming.

I became acquainted with Marie’s Howe poetry in 2012 when I set her Annunciation as part of a large choral work.

The symmetrical form of this suite, a central movement flanked by toccatas and “cadences”, as well as the suite’s symmetrical key-scheme, reminded me of calling into a great chasm and waiting for the echo to come back.

In its alternation between “caprices” and “arias”, the work moves between the poles of virtuosity and lyricism throughout.

The opening bears a strong Baroque influence, though the simple “short-long” motive in the piano recurs incessantly throughout the movement and may have its roots in the second movement of Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit, Le Gibet.

Alternating Current was commissioned by Young Concert Artists, Inc. for pianist Jeremy Denk and made possible through a generous grant from Ernest Levenstein.