JAVS Fall 2011

This duo is sunny, joyful, and light-hearted; certain to be an audience pleaser. Dayenu is a theme (with short, eight bar introduction) and two variations. The introduction has a praiseful and glorifying character, while the theme is bubbly and exuberant. The first variation is marked “tempo di Bunny hop”—quite unusual for any classical piece. A Bunny hop is a dance created in 1952 and is a variation on a conga line. The Finnish Jenka, created in the nineteenth century, has similar steps: three quick steps and a hop. The second variation with its syncopations, off beats, and glissandi, has a very jazzy, buoyant feeling.

Principal harp of the Chicago Symphony. The origi nal version was part of a television soundtrack for a program entitled Twilight of the Medici , produced by the local PBS affiliate in Detroit. The show was about the fall of the Medici dynasty (an Italian political fami ly and the founders of the Medici Bank, the largest bank in Europe during the fifteenth century). The composer writes: “The events depicted (in the show) occurred at the end of the eighteenth century, so I was asked to write Baroque music, appropriate to the peri od. It is still not clear to me how I came to get this commission—I was absurdly under-qualified. I was a college kid studying viola performance with no accom plishments to speak of as a composer. But I was cheap, and they had no money. At first I found it very diffi cult to write Baroque music, something I had never before attempted. But soon I came to relish having a style with restrictions from a bygone era imposed on me. It can be liberating to have your choices limited.” Both movements are in binary form and are very melodic. The first uses the typical siciliano rhythm; it is very solemn and somber in character. The aria is beautiful with stylistically appropriate written-out ornamentation. I’d love to program this piece on a recital of flute, viola, and harp trios. It would fit very well in contrast with the Debussy, Genzmer, Libby Larsen, or Gubaidulina trios.

Difficulty Level: 5 Duration: 2:50 minutes

Siciliana and Aria from Twilight of the Medici (2003), for Viola and Harp By Max Raimi These two pieces were originally written for cello and harpsichord. The composer later arranged them for viola and harp for a recital in 2003. This version was premiered by the composer and Sarah Bullen, the

Difficulty Level: 3 Duration: 5:45 minutes

Etwas für Bratsche (etwas rasch!) Something for Viola (somewhat quickly!) by Paul Siskind

Copyright Sweet Child Music 2010

If you’re like me, you love to program a few of the big works for viola on a recital and are always looking for short pieces to create variety in the program, but without sacrificing the quality of compositions. A wonderful new, short piece has come to my attention that would complement any program. This six-and-a half-minute gem, Etwas für Bratsche , was written for Shelly Tramposh (viola) and Cullan Bryant (piano). They have recently made a fantastic recording of the piece, due for release in October.

J OuRNAL OF ThE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETy 64