Violine (Precipice)

In four movements. Movement 1: Moderately; Movement 2: Fast/Sneaky; Movement 3: Slowly; Movement 4: Lively.

The unique chamber ensemble itself (flute, violin, viola, and piano) inspired my title “Precipice.” While the piano has the capacity for an enormous range of expression - from the gentle and sublime to the frenzied and cacophonous - to me, the other instruments are less suited toward the latter extreme; instead, they seem to invite a music with greater subtlety and nuance - a music not quite capable of grandiose vulgarity.

 As a composer (like Mahler, for example) who values climax directionality in music, I found myself writing music for this ensemble teetering on the edge of climax, looking hopefully out into the chasm of release, but without allowing that final step off the edge and into the abyss. Perhaps this music will feel to you, the listener, to be on the verge of grand gestures - on the precipice not of disaster, but of total catharsis. (Or, perhaps you won’t hear this at all!)

  In terms of content, the four movements are cyclical; material from the opening movement is revisited and developed in various guises throughout the four movement structure. Melody is often at the fore, especially in the opening movement. Movement 2 feels like a scherzo, featuring an extended look at first movement’s 2nd theme. The slow 3rd movement features a sumptuous flute melody, and a particularly “energetic” fourth movement closes the piece with a flourish.

Commissioned by the Atlanta Chamber Players; Melissa Klein Executive Director. Per the commissioned contract, the Atlanta Chamber Players reserve the right: "within one year following the date of the world premiere [04/06/2025], to the first radio and television performances provided such radio or television broadcasts are of a live performance. Any recording made for the purpose of such broadcast transmission may not be used for any other purpose without the prior written consent of

COMPOSER and the acquisition of a mechanical license and/or synchronization license."