IMAGES FROM AN ORIGINAL THEME (2019) for piano trio

Instrumentation: Violin, Cello, Piano

Duration: ~6’30”

Performance/Recording History:

  • Premiered 7/12/19 at The Shed at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, MI; Eddie Zhou, violin, Adam Pua, cello, Ida Beckett, piano

  • Performed 1/18/20 in the 2020 MMEA Honors Composition Concert at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids, MI; Nyssa Rabinowitz, violin, Nick Callcut, cello, Jonah Cohen, piano

Awards:

Program Notes:

Scored for piano trio, Images From an Original Theme is a piece which explores many different textures, harmonies, and colors as the main theme transforms along the way. The piece begins with a startling piano flourish, and then the cello introduces Image (variation) I before the main theme is stated. Next, the piano leads us into the quick and energetic Image II, which, after transitioning to C major, transforms into a light waltz (Image III). Image IV transforms our main theme using the pentatonic scale, and then we arrive at the tranquil, lush Image V. This section is scored for just piano and cello, and is based on an inversion of the main theme. The penultimate section (Image VI) is a mischievous, convoluted dance with rapidly shifting time signatures, and this brings us to the finale, a slightly more exciting version of the main theme.

The premiere of this piece was given in July 2019 at Interlochen Center for the Arts by student musicians.