Four Preludes For Violin Solo
Benjamin Bierman
About this work:
In Four Preludes for Violin Solo, melodic motives are presented, and the full themes gradually take shape as outgrowths of these smaller melodic cells. The first prelude melody was originally drawn from a twelve-tone row, but quickly transformed. The initial theme of the second prelude draws its inspiration from the Charanga tradition of Cuban dance music, which prominently features violins. I have always enjoyed their montuno-like role. The second theme is influenced by Karen Carpenter, and her lovely, wistful melodic sensibility. The third prelude is built around a regularly repeating descending motive, and most of the melodic content is developed from it. The fourth prelude is a perpetual motion flurry of chromaticism with a hard-bop intensity.
Year composed: 2000
Duration: 00:11:00
Ensemble type: Solo instrument, non-keyboard:Violin
Instrumentation: 1 Violin