Six Questions (duo for Perc/Vln)

Six Questions duo for violin and percussion (2000]

Program Notes

Commissioned by the Switzerland’s Marrs/Dobrzelewski Duo, Six Questions is written in the form of a theme and six brief variations. The theme, an original phrygian melody, has a sober, pensive character. Each variation, usually approached without pause, to my ear is like some kind of reaction, or insight, or question prompted by the theme. The specific outline is:

Theme: Espressivo

Variation One: Misterioso

Variation Two: Giocoso; solo violin transition

Variation Three: Delicatamente; espressivo

Variation Four: Semplice, with growing intensity

Variation Five: Agitato

Variation Six: Con Spirito

Theme

Coda: Delicatamente

Listen and watch San Francisco Symphony members Kelly Leon and Jack Van Geem play Six Questions . Duration 9:00 (click anywhere in this box)

Six Questions has been performed by the Marrs/Dobrzelewski Duo (Switzerland), Composers, Inc. San Francisco), Tempo (Los Angeles) SyZyGy (Oregon), as well as faculty and graduate student recitals at University of Montana, Temple University, San Francisco Conservatory, and Hartt Conservatory.