Page 19 - NWS Nov 2024 Playbill

. .ROUNDS FOR PIANO AND STRING ORCHESTRAA
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Jes s s i i e Mo nt g o m e r r y ( b . 1 9 8 1 , N e w Y o r k C i t y )
Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981, New York City)
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Composed: 2022, received 2024 GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary
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Composed: 2022, received 2024 GRAMMY® for Best Contemporary
Classical Composition
Classical Composition
Instrumentation: piano and strings
Instrumentation: piano and strings
Duration: approximately 14 minutes
Duration: approximately 14 minutes
Rounds
Rounds for solo piano and string orchestra is inspired by the imagery and themes
for T.S. Eliot’s epic poem Four Quartets. Early in the fi rst poem, Burnt Norton, we
for T.S. Eliot’s epic poem
fi nd these evocative lines:
fi nd these evocative lines:
At the still point of the turning world. Neither fl esh nor fl eshless;
At the still point of the turning world. Neither fl esh nor fl eshless;
Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is,
Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is,
But neither arrest nor movement. And do not call it fi xity,
But neither arrest nor movement. And do not call it fi xity,
Where past and future are gathered. Neither movement from nor towards,
Where past and future are gathered. Neither movement from nor towards,
Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point,
Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point,
There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.
There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.
(Text © T.S. Eliot. Reproduced by courtesy of Faber and Faber Ltd)
(Text © T.S. Eliot. Reproduced by courtesy of Faber and Faber Ltd)
In addition to this inspiration, while working on the piece, I became fascinated by
In addition to this inspiration, while working on the piece, I became fascinated by
fractals (infi nite patterns found in nature that are self-similar across different scales)
fractals (infi nite patterns found in nature that are self-similar across different scales)
and also delved into the work of contemporary biologist and philosopher Andreas
and also delved into the work of contemporary biologist and philosopher Andreas
Weber who writes about the interdependency of all beings. Weber explores how
Weber who writes about the interdependency of all beings. Weber explores how
every living organism has a rhythm that interacts and impacts with all of the living
every living organism has a rhythm that interacts and impacts with all of the living
things around it and results in a multitude of outcomes.
things around it and results in a multitude of outcomes.
Like Eliot in Four Quartets, beginning to understand this interconnectedness requires
Like Eliot in
that we slow down, listen, and observe both the effect and the opposite effect caused
that we slow down, listen, and observe both the effect and the opposite effect caused
by every single action and moment. I’ve found this is an exercise that lends itself very
by every single action and moment. I’ve found this is an exercise that lends itself very
naturally towards musical gestural possibilities that I explore in the work – action and
naturally towards musical gestural possibilities that I explore in the work – action and
reaction, dark and light, stagnant and swift.
reaction, dark and light, stagnant and swift.
Structurally, with these concepts in mind, I set the form of the work as a rondo, within
Structurally, with these concepts in mind, I set the form of the work as a rondo, within
a rondo, within a rondo. The fi ve major sections are a rondo; section “A” is also a a
a rondo, within a rondo. The fi ve major sections are a rondo; section “A” is also
rondo in itself; and the cadenza – which is partially improvised by the soloist – breaks
rondo in itself; and the cadenza – which is partially improvised by the soloist – breaks
the pattern, yet, contains within it, the overall form of the work.
the pattern, yet, contains within it, the overall form of the work.
~Jessie Montgomery, February 2022
~Jessie Montgomery, February 2022
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ELITE SYNCOPATIONS AND MAPLE LEAF RAG
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Scott Joplin, arr. Buck (b. Texarkana, 1868 – d. New York, 1917)
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Composed: Elite Syncopations, 1902; Maple Leaf Rag, 1899
Composed: Elite Syncopations, 1902; Maple Leaf Rag, 1899
Instrumentation: Single winds, one horn, one trumpet, one trombone and strings
Instrumentation: Single winds, one horn, one trumpet, one trombone and strings
Duration: approximately two minutes each
Duration: approximately two minutes each
Born into a musical family of railway laborers in Texarkana, Texas in 1868 and trained
Born into a musical family of railway laborers in Texarkana, Texas in 1868 and trained
early on by a German-born American Jewish music professor, Julius Weiss,
early on by a German-born American Jewish music professor, Julius Weiss,
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